Keitt Update - November 2012

How To Know You're Alive

 As I was waiting to go up on stage at church this morning, I couldn’t help but think about 1) how happy I am going to be when all these presentations are over, and 2) just how GOOD I’ve been feeling, despite the nerves brought on by public speaking.  Good is a pretty lame adjective, so better stated, how alive I’ve been feeling lately. 

And it makes sense.  Because if you’re alive, you have to be growing.   
It’s our nature.  The only things not growing are dead. 

I’ve realized how alive I’ve been feeling lately because of all these things I’ve been doing that are NOT my strengths and are definitely not comfortable for me.  AKA, these “growing experiences.”  Public speaking, yes, but also the whole living in your second culture and in general, living less comfortably than we could be.  Which made me think, what does comfort do for us, anyway, besides hinder growth?

You can’t get any smarter without reading books that are beyond the knowledge you already have.

You can’t gain muscle or lose weight without the pain of a good workout.

And you can’t learn to truly rely on God without hardships or struggles. 

I am thankful for the challenges He has given me these last few months, because it has also led me to places that I know I wouldn’t be able to be without His strength.  And it is GOOD to feel this alive!!

So my question for you is: What are you doing in your life that is forcing you to grow?  Or maybe, what unwarranted circumstances are you allowing God to turn into growing experiences for your good?

It can be as simple as a thought-provoking book or a challenging workout routine, we just have to make sure we are actually living.  Because if we’re not growing in one way or another, what are we even doing? 

And speaking of growing…

there’s been a lot more of THAT goin' on around here lately!

Here we are at 24 weeks when the Irish completed their 12-0 regular season to be #1!!  







 
And if kids grow like puppies, or at least like Boss, then we're really in for it.  We've had Boss man for about a month now and as you can see he is a great eater.  We love having two dogs!  They play together well and are super entertaining for us.  Except for the time he ate my favorite pair of Chacos, which was the opposite of entertaining.  It's a good thing he's so cute...

-->

Mental Worship

“I usually don’t get too many people crazy about this idea, but don’t you think that when we use our brain, thinking, pondering & contemplating, that we worship God just as much as when we’re singing “worship” songs in the church?  I truly believe that it is worship and you know what, I believe when we use our mind, thinking, pondering & contemplating secular matters we’re just as much worshiping God.  Seriously, are we not appreciating, respecting and acknowledging the beautiful masterpieces of the creativity of God?”

Our Biblical Institute professor shared this thought with us on Saturday and I couldn’t be in more agreement.  Why do we, followers of Christ, sell ourselves so short? 

Just read a few verses during the week, please guys. 

That's where the bar is set?

But what would happen if we scootch that bar up a few notches and strive to dive into “mental worship” with not only Biblical studies, but also the secular matters of all sorts.  Cultured Christians who yearn for a much wider appreciation of the Creator...  

thinking, pondering & contemplating.

Praying is Dangerous

I know most people would say they hate public speaking.  But I really can't describe to you how much I dread being up in front of people.

Perhaps a few illustrations would help.

In 7th grade I had a flute solo in our band concert.  Did I get through it?  No.  I was shaking so badly that the flute kept bouncing off my lips and I couldn't get a sound out of it.

In college, I declared my major as Elementary Education since, you know, I'd known I'd wanted to be a teacher since I was 6 years old.  I kid you not, when I saw that "Public Speaking" was a required course, I spent days trying to research other ways to enter education without having it as your major.  (Some of you might be thinking, isn't teaching the same as speaking in front of groups?  Absolutely not.  Teaching is interactive, and kids are ways more forgiving!)

Whenever I do have to speak, I count down the days like it's Christmas (except not in a good way.)  Every date mentioned falls into the category of "before the speech," or "after it's over."  Like, remember the sex talk?!  Good grief that was the most anxiety I have felt in a long time.    

I hope you get my point.

So about a month and a half ago, my most honest prayer was to actually learn to have God's confidence and not feel confident in my own ability.  I usually don't pray this prayer, because I know what it means.  It means I will have to do things I don't like to do, am not good at, and/or are way out of my comfort zone.  So even the ability to pray that prayer and mean it was a pretty big gift of grace on His part!  It's probably the first time in my life I've honestly wanted it.

And God is so funny.  I don't know why I'm always surprised... but it just happened so quickly!

Within that same week, I was given opportunities to speak in front of churches from 2 different people.  But here's the kicker - for 8 SUNDAYS IN A ROW!!

I guess He really wants me to learn this whole confidence in Him thing :)

So as of now, I have given the offering devotional once so far at our church, Oriente, and will be giving it again next month.

As for the rest, we are doing a "tour" of all of IAM's Santiago churches to show them our video for House of Hope and ask for their involvement and help with funding.  So far we have gone to 2 churches.  Here's a pic from last Sunday at La Farfana:

It's been freakin' awesome.  Because 1) I haven't died or had any panic attacks before or during the events, 2) it's so cool to see our other churches and how they are on Sunday mornings, and 3) it is such an encouragement to those of us working with House of Hope to feel like we're not alone in this.  And some people have already offered to be monthly sponsors and/or come in and visit the kids!  

So, praying is dangerous.  But it's also the only way to get things done.  

And for that I am thankful.

(I am also thankful for this little guy/girl, who is growing more and more visibly each day... Plus I thought I should give you guys a heads up so you're not totally surprised when I'm suddenly "really pregnant" in our next video :)