Posted in General Posts by Wendy Baer on 5/12/2012
Tomorrow is Mother's Day, & the first one since my mom passed away back in September. I started thinking about this day & was planning on just ignoring it & hoping it would pass, then I wouldn't have to think about missing her. But really, I have so many reasons to celebrate her. For one thing, she is in a better place.
Jesus said to her, " I am the resurrection & the life. Whoever believes in me, thought he/she die, yet shall he/she live. John 11:25
As a follower of Christ, I truly believe with all my heart that my mom is in a better place. She is safe in the arms of Jesus forever. She will never again feel pain, sadness, hurt, suffering or never again will she shed a tear of sadness. I believe with all my heart that I will see her again one day, & that God took her by His grace. She was in a lot of pain emotionally & physically. God spared her years of having to suffer through her sickness & the emotional damage that she dealt with inside.
I can celebrate the woman I am today because of her.
She was the most courageous person I know. She put her family first, she loved her husband through thick & thin, & when it would have been easier to leave; she stayed. She held onto her faith in the Lord, more than anyone I know. She trusted in the Lord even when her situations/circumstances seemed impossible & doubtful. She raised 5 children pretty much alone & she loved us so well. She gave her all, always. She always had the best advice, she had the most loving voice. Anytime I needed encouragement, to vent or just to talk she was only a phone call away & I was never an inconvenience to her. She had been through so much in her life, she always had wisdom to share with any situation life threw my way. She taught me how to persevere always no matter what life brought. Her perserverance is something I admire so much & it inspires me to press on, always.
I can celebrate that she got to see her one desire before she passed away, being a grandmother.
She desired to have a grandchild more than anything. She was at a stage in her life where she just wanted a precious little child to love on & all her children were all grown up. God granted her that desire. My sister had a beautiful little girl 2 years ago, Brielle Mykenna. Brielle has brought unexplainable joy into my mom's final years. Brielle gave her so much hope & reasons to smile. I am so thankful she got to be a grandmother & meet her granddaughter!
I can celebrate that I was blessed with 24 amazing years with my mom. More than many of the little faces I've met on this journey can say. I've held orphans who have never had anyone to call mom or dad. & because I had someone who loved me so much & who raised me so well, I have a reason to celebrate.
Being on this journey I have realized that everything we have in life is a blessing. Even the things that are easily overlooked, or the things we feel we are owed. Having parents is a blessing. So many children in the world have never had a parent/parents who love them, they have never had that one/two people who would die for them, who would give everything to protect them. So many children live without parents, so many. I am so thankful for the years I've had with my mom. This gives me a reason to celebrate her life, to celebrate the time we had together & to celebrate the example she left me that I will pass onto my own children one day.
I can celebrate that her life only adds an amazing testimony to my life story & I can share that with others who have lost a loved one, or who need encouragement. I can celebrate that God's goodness is still present amongst pain, trials, hurt & death. That hope is still alive & available. That God does not give up on us when life gets hard, He is beside us every step of the way. This is a reason to celebrate, that His faithfulness is never ending.
My race has been unique. It's also been a grieving process for me. It was by God's strength that I returned to the mission field & by His strength that I am still here. Throughout the past 9 months, I can see His goodness more clearly. For me, it was through a devastating time that His light shined through in my life. When life is going well & everything seems to be going good, often times that is when we miss His hand in our lives. But through pain & trials His faithfulness can shine through & we can see how GOOD He really is, How much He really loves us. This is a reason to celebrate, His faithfulness, His goodness is worthy. He never leaves our side.
I am celebrating the blessing I've had in my life for 24 years! & how she has inspired me in ways that will be a part of who I am for the rest of my life!
My mom was not a photo person! I have to respect that. This is a painting my younger brother did after she passed away in her memory.
Missing her so much. But celebrating her life on earth & her new life in eternity with our Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you mom for showing me the beauty of motherhood & what it looks like to unconditionally love your family.
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Posted in General Posts by Wendy Baer on 5/12/2012
This month we are in Guatemala! It is so refreshing being here & it is a beautiful place! I am so excited about our ministry this month!! I along with 9 others are spending our days visiting & loving on the elderly in a local retirement home! I LOVE each day & I always look forward to seeing those friendly faces that I hope to bless, & in return they bless me abundantly!!
Our first day at the retirement home, it was quite overwhelming! As we walked into the building we immediately notice the bed with a body laying in it, it was covered in a white sheet from head to toe & flowers placed on the sheet! It began to sink in that this is the end for many of them. This is their "life" & this is possibly the place they would die at. Realizing this reality, the thoughts crossed my mind, "What do I have to offer these people? How am I to relate to them? Or encourage them?" Feeling a heavy heart about this ministry, I knew God brought us here for a reason & that He would reveal to us our purpose & vision for this retirement home.
At first it was challenging to see what our ministry looked like, many challenges came up. The majority of elderly had major health problems & physical limits which meant they couldn't leave their wheelchair, some even couldn't move their arms or legs. On top of that, we quickly found out that the language barrier left feelings of frustration & even feelings of helplessness. I know personally, I wanted so badly to be able to share with them stories from my life, the Bible, encourage them, hear their stories & just have healthy encouraging conversations; but they couldn't understand me & I couldn't understand them. What does ministry look like if I can't even have a conversation with them?
It didn't take long to realize love is not limited to mutual languages. Love doesn't only appear in one or two specific ways. Love is felt, seen, & obvious through quality time, smiles, & through the eyes of Jesus. I had to be reminded that I can't communicate clearly to them, but I have Christ living in me & through Him what seems impossible is not; the love of Christ knows no limits or boundaries. You cannot hide the love of Christ, it is like a shining star, a blazing sun, it goes beyond our own understanding! & God called me this month to a retirement home to show the love of Christ without using words, a challenge that is too big for my own understanding; but the past 4 days I've spent with the elderly, I've seen it played out. Christ's love outshines language barriers & it is something so powerful it cannot be hidden!!
Realizing what a precious gift I've been given this month, I see each person I encounter as an opportunity to pour this overflowing love into! I've seen faces of sadness & hopelessness turned into laughter, joy & dancing! I've realized that some of them only want someone to sit with them & hold their hand, they want company, friendship & to feel noticed. If my time in the retirement home this month can light a new flame of hope in any of their eyes, I feel my time was well spent. My heart this month is to just love on them, & remind them through quality time, smiles & the eyes of Christ that they are loved, cherished & there is so much hope!
I am feeling blessed by this amazing ministry & that I get to be a part of it! I look forward to sharing more stories of how love which goes beyond words can change hearts, atmospheres & can give hope!
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly & revere your God, I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32
The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, it is found in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:31
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh & flourishing.Psalm 92:13-14
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Posted in General Posts by Wendy Baer on 4/25/2012
Our ministry this month in Bulgaria has been a lot of handy work around the "Mission Possible" head office (painting, cleaning, yard work, more painting) & speaking (testimonies, messages, worship) at several churches in the area. We've visited about 5-7 churches already, all churches that Mission Possible encourages & builds into; helping to unite them all as one in the Lord.
Today we were given an option to visit a retirement home & it was a nice little change & a really special time.The second we walked into the room where a little church gathering was taking place for the elderly, we were greeted with big warm smiles & excitement immediately came upon the faces of the few (mainly women). We were asked to each share a testimony or encouragement with them & one by one Maria, Tiffany & I did so. It was a short but sweet gathering & time of worship. Afterwards we got to walk around a bit to meet everyone, & we were once again greeted with big warm smiles & hugs! It was a sweet morning where I left feeling blessed by the company of those I was hoping to bless. I wish I would have gotten more photos of our visit there, but here are a few of our short but sweet visit!
The lady beside me put this hat on me to be funny for the photo!
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Posted in General Posts by Wendy Baer on 4/9/2012
My team is in "German, Bulgaria" this month, working with an organization called "Mission Possible." We are helping them with handy work that needs to be done & having 6 extra pairs of hands around really helps quicken the process! We are sharing our testimonies in church & hoping to uplift others through our experiences & life stories, along with any other tasks/speaking opportunities that may arise. Being here is an encouragement to me personally, the young people in the church are so on fire for God & you can tell they earnestly soak in everything shared from the Word of God. So often on the race we are around new Christians & baby Christians, but I believe this month in Bulgaria there will be lots for us to learn from them & I am open to growing & being encouraged by those we are serving with.Their passion for God is contageous & genuine!
When I think of how far God's brought me this past year, I am amazed! So many times I find myself tired & running on low energy. Many times throughout my journey, I've had the opportunity to share what God is doing in my life, & how faithful He's been even when life brings hardship, & the more I hear myself share what's going on in my life, the more I realize "wow, God really does give me the energy & strength I need to persevere." It seriously amazes me, because I know my own capabilities & I know how weak my flesh can be, it is by the grace of God that I have gotten as far as I have; His supernatural strength in me. Considering the journey my hearts been on, in finding peace, understanding & healing after my mother's death; I am so thankful for His faithfulness & strength to keep me going. I would have given up a long time ago if I was to depend on my own strength. Moments when I feel I've hit my limits, He gives me the second wind I need to continue on, & to find joy in doing so. Seriously, if I was to share what I feel God has taught me the most throughout this journey, it is His FAITHFULNESS! He never leaves my side, He constantly is there to pick me up when I fall, He is the One who gets me through anything.
Being able to look back & see the journey He's carried me through, only strengthens my faith, because He is constantly faithful. Because of this supernatural strength & energy I am running on, I can say I am excited & ready to continue on & to truly enjoy the moments I have left on this race!
All ready to get to work!!
Sharing about God's faithfulness!
Sharing my testimony! Standing beside me is my translator & friend Yoana!
"Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant & mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him & keep His commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9
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Posted in General Posts by Wendy Baer on 3/25/2012
Where my heart is at right now:
As I was watching a sermon by Joyce Meyer on youtube, something she said caught my attention because it's something that's been on my heart lately:
"Enjoy where your at on the way to where your going."
This really hit me, because here I am on month 7 of the race, & I am constantly fighting an inner battle to be present & live in the present each & every day. The temptation to focus on the future, plan ahead, worry, wonder, or dream easily catches my attention & before I know it I catch myself thinking more about "what's next" than "what's now."
I want to be present. Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I always want to live that moment to the fullest. I am realizing more & more how much of my time I take for granted & how much I focus on the future more than I should; while missing out on what God is doing in my life now. Here I am, in Serbia, & I am catching myself already thinking about life back home & what's next for me. Why can't I just be present where I'm at? Why can't I just trust that God has a plan for me when I get home? For now I am where I am meant to be. Isn't it funny how before going on a trip you could be so excited & you count down the days until you leave, then one day you catch yourself on the trip & your not even fully taking in each moment?! Or your dreaming of home when you know this might be the only chance in your life to visit that place?!
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being on this journey, I am having the time of my life & I feel so blessed to be where I am. But it really is a daily battle to choose into each day, each ministry, & each person we meet. Being on this journey gets exhausting at times & it seems easier to dream of "normal life" than live this radical crazy life for a year. & as I see each day pass by, I realize "wow I only have one week left in Serbia & 4 months left till I go home & this journey is over." I don't want to get home & look back over these 11 months feeling like I could have given more, I could have shared more of my heart, basically I don't want to end up playing the shoulda, coulda, woulda game. This is something that's been on my heart that the Lord is showing me, the power of now. We could easily miss so many blessings in a day by worrying or focusing on tomorrow. My heart is desiring to please the Lord today, to make every moment count today, to give my all in each opportunity that arises today, & to be present today & enjoy the present as it is a blessing from God.
This is what is on my heart right now, being present, fully present.
Lord, in life I pray to enjoy "where I am at" on the way to where I am going. Please help me to live present in each moment you've blessed me with & may each moment be pleasing in your sight. I desire to please you in the "getting to" & the "arriving" times in my life. With your guidance & help I know this is possible, continue to lead me & direct my paths.
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Posted in General Posts by Wendy Baer on 3/5/2012
THIS IS A PHOTO BLOG HIGHLIGHTING MY MONTH IN ROMANIA!!! ENJOY!!!!
We would spend every morning from 10am-12pm praying for the missionaries, ministries, & people of Draganesti-Olt & surrounding villages. It is through prayer that amazing things happen, excited to hear about how God continues to move & work in the lives here!
This is "Hope Church," the church we served with during our time in Romania. We did many things this month: shovel snow, clean the church & mission house, logistical work, kids clubs/After school programs, handing out Romanian Books of the Bible in the streets, singing in church/testimonies, presented skits for the church congregation, helped unload a truck from the Netherlands dropping off loads of clothing, lots of prayer ministry, visiting/praying for sick/lonely, & handed out invitations to a worship concert in the streets.
Kids club! We lead it a few times, it was challenging cause of the language barrier,
but we also spent time with the kids & did crafts & singing with them!
Kids club!!
Truck from the Netherlands dropping off clothing & things for the people of
Draganesti-Olt & surrounding villages.
Me helping to unload the truck!!
After school program, the kids decorating sugar cookies that Tiffany made for them!!
He means business with that cookie!!
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We all did a cardboard testimony presentation for the church congregation one Sunday morning! We all shared on one side of the cardboard a struggle, then the other side how God saved us from that past struggle! We did this to the song "How He Loves Us." They enjoyed it!!
We sang every Sunday morning during the church service some English worship!!
(Not the most flattering photo of me! Oh well!)
WE ALSO DID SOME FUN THINGS ON OUR DAYS OFF!!
We went on a 2-day road trip to Dracula's Castle!!
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We went skating at an outdoor ice rink!!
I personally enjoyed these 1 Leu coffee machines! They came in handy with
the cold weather & seemed to be very convenient to find!
Another one of my favourite Romanian treats, 1 Leu "donuts" came with
feta cheese filling, chocolate or Jam!! Yum!! In Canada we call these "Beaver Tails!"
I got to enjoy my 25th Birthday in Romania!! & I was spoiled with love & fun
surprises all day!!
LET ALL THAT YOU DO BE DONE WITH LOVE. 1 COR 16:14
Our time in Romania has come to an end. We were blessed so much by our ministry contacts & their hospitality & love in welcoming us. Tomorrow we head out to Serbia for a month! Excited to see what God has in store for us!
A few things I'd like to ask for prayer for:
-Safe Travels to Serbia, Smooth adjusting to the country, our contacts & in ministry
-Energy- I personally am finding myself often with little energy & it makes doing ministry all day challenging sometimes. Pray that God would renew my strength & health so I can put my all into everything set before me.
-Peace- we are going into month 7 & realizing how quickly the race is going by, this brings thoughts/concerns about arriving home to mind often. Pray for peace & trust that I don't allow worries of "tomorrow" to take away from what's before me.
-That God keeps the JOY flowing from us. Often times by the middle of the race, it sometimes feels like a drag, & some of the excitement isn't there anymore. Pray for my team & I to continue in joy & continue giving our all to those we encounter! Praying for complete joy all the way till the end!!
-GOOD HEALTH!! SO thankful I haven't been sick in a while! But some of my team mates have, pray for pain issues-neck & back, malaria relapses, reaccuring-pain in the chest, head aches, colds & that we would remain strong & healthy till the end!
THANK YOU for your prayers!!!!!!!!
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