Why am I writing a blog again after so many years? Previously I wrote a blog when I worked with rescued girls in Asia, and when I worked in the red-light district. It was important that people try to understand the trauma and hopelessness these women and children experienced.

I have been back in the U.S. now for almost three years. Wow! Time has flown by quickly! I desperately miss the ministry in Asia. I still have foster children there. There are two that I raised since they were small boys. I acknowledge them as my sons even if I did not give birth to them. They are young men now. One is involved in music ministry, the other is working at a Christian hospital. Both are doing well and I am grateful to God for His hand on their lives. My precious foster girl, my only girl, died in her home in December 2017 when her family took her back. Even though on earth she was disabled and could not speak, I know with all my heart that she is dancing in heaven! I look forward to seeing her again! I miss my many friends there that I made living in Asia for sixteen years.

You might think that I am doing this wonderful new ministry in the U.S. now and I want to share about it. Well, I am not…but I am…a little. Confused? Me too!

I expected (pridefully) that when I returned to the U.S. I would be working with rescued girls, or ministries working with the homeless or even teach or train others again. God has kept closing the doors. “We can make plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9/NLT).

My current ministry, until God moves me, is learning to know Him more, and taking care of my adopted autistic son. We knew that my son had some health issues. He was abandoned between the age of 5-7. He was recently diagnosed with kidney disease and we are trying to work through all of the specifics. We know that J is not a candidate for dialysis or a kidney transplant. We don’t know what God has in store for him in the days ahead. We wait and watch. We are praying God gives the doctors wisdom so that we can give my son the best possible life however long that will be.

I must be honest. It has been a tough three years back in the U.S. It took me at least two years to reacclimate to the U.S. again. I feel lost not involved in ministry and not knowing what God’s plan is for us. Have you ever felt that you didn’t know what direction God was taking you in? I trust Him fully because He has been faithful since I was a child and committed my life to Him…even through loss, through disappointments, through broken dreams, through abuse. Jesus has never left my side.

For several years, senior friends, some now in heaven, continually tried to nudge me to write a book about my experiences in Asia and God’s faithfulness in my life. The truth is, my friends only had a glimpse of what God had done in my life and how He rescued me more than once.

I kept putting off my friends thinking no one would really care about my life story…but that is the point. The story, these stories, are not about me…they are about a loving, faithful, amazing, and holy God. A God who grasped a young lady out of the miry pit, placed there by others and her own bad choices. God set her on a rock and gave her a firm place to stand. God put a new song in her heart, and she gave praise to Him. Many will read, and see, and fear the LORD, and put their trust in Him (emphasis added), (Psalm 40:2-3).

God has kept reminding me through His word and other avenues, that I need to write this story now. This is not because my life was great, but because God was great. In these days with COVID-19, division between one another, uncertainty, loss of life, loss of jobs, HUGE losses…people need encouragement and hope. Are you looking for hope and contentment? That hope for me, and it can be for you, comes from God.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3/NIV).

I have already began writing the book, Waves of Gratitude: Seeing God’s light through the darkest storms.

I know times are tough for you right now. Some of you are seriously ill. I can understand some. I have had chronic pain and an autoimmune disease for almost thirty years. I was recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. A daily, extreme pain that I am still learning to deal with. Some of you have lost loved ones, and because of quarantine, were not there with them. I have lost someone close to me every year since 2016 and was only able to be with one before he died. There are so many other losses…People are financially burdened, suffering depression, loneliness, fear…it seems that it is a never-ending, daily battle to have hope and to have joy.

There is an opportunity to have peace, contentment, and joy amid the suffering.

Be still…open your ears and open your eyes. Do you hear it? Do you see it?

I have made a vow with God, throughout my pain, my son’s illness, financial difficulties, and uncertainty of what tomorrow holds, that I will listen, and watch, and write. I know that God’s goodness and love comes every day.

Join me on this journey. I promise my postings won’t be as elaborate as this one! Okay, some of you know me better than that!

Pray for the writing and publishing of:

Waves of Gratitude: Seeing God’s light through the darkest storms

Waves of Gratitude Pray Journal

Marcello the Mole Learns to be Grateful (children’s book).