Rest Time

Break is here. And 4 weeks of it! I was very ready for this one, and am thankful to be home. With extended family traveling here, I am HOME home almost until school starts back January 12. I see this as a gift!
Due to increasing fatigue and a few other "signs," I had my thyroid levels checked in November. With high antibodies and a slightly high TSH level, I was told I might feel better on a low dose of synthroid, to which I eagerly agreed. Whether this solves everything or the Lord continues to expose my weaknesses in order to cement in my heart the fact that I Am Dependent On Him, I'm thankful for His graciousness toward me and His unfailing love.
None But the Hungry Heart's devotional this morning read, "Our simplest earthly responsibilities require us to be conversant with the 'things above.'" Earth is not my final destination, yet my time here is an important, through brief, segment of my life before eternity with God. He has placed me here to grow toward Christ-likeness and to spread the news of the gospel to other undeserving sinners like myself. Therefore, my time here is not disconnected from eternity in heaven but dependent very much on it. Heaven provides the perspective needed to respond to the "simplest earthly responsibilities" and to embrace His greater plan for all earthly happenings as well as my own growth. We are to, as the familiar Christmas carol aptly exhorts, "Let loving hearts enthrone Him." May you, and I, pray for such grace in a throne-filled world.

Suffering?

That's not the reason for my blog absence . . .the last month has been full, but I am 5 days away from a 9-day break at home. The biggest projects of the semester are nearly over (after tomorrow), leaving mostly performance responsibilities, as well as the typical end-of-the-semester busyness that I tend to forget about. But, as you can see, I'm still alive and smiling. God has continued to prove His faithfulness, and to shine His glory even through frustrating inabilities.
Suffering. . . not sure why God has bombarded me with the subject the past two days. In my devotionals, in the Word, in church, in Sunday school--all have been centered on the glory of suffering. Can I share some of those thoughts with you? Whether God is preparing me for a wilderness trek, or simply purifying my perspective, I don't want to pass by these truths, nor do I want to neglect an opportunity to share something that might be encouraging to you as well.

"When the morning falls on the farthest hill
I will sing His name, I will praise Him still.
When dark trials come and my heart is filled
With the weight of doubt I will praise Him still."
-"I Will Praise Him Still" by Fernando Ortega

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing us for an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." 2 Cor. 4:16-17

"There never has been known a great saintliness of soul which did not pass through great suffering. When the suffering soul reaches a calm sweet carelessness, when it can inwardly smile at its own suffering, then it has wrought its blessed ministry; then patience has its perfect work, then the crucifixion begins to weave itself into a crown." -None But the Hungry Heart 11.15

"He will beautify the humble with salvation." Ps. 149:4

"You cannot show the preciousness of a person by being happy with his gifts. Ingratitude will certainly prove that the giver is not loved, but gratitude for gifts does not prove that the giver is precious. What proves that the giver is precious is the glad-hearted readiness to leave all his gifts to be with him. . . . But worship means cherishing the preciousness of God above all else, including life itself. It will be difficult to bring the nations to love God from a lifestyle that communicates a love of things. Therefore, God ordains in the lives of his messengers that suffering severs our bondage to the world. When joy and love survive this severing, we are fit to say to the nations with authenticity and power: Hope in God."
-John Piper

And Now It Begins

My thankfulness for a less-than-crazy semester will be put into a new perspective as I face the next month. My planner's November already contains many more pencil markings than the previous months, showing papers, performances, presentations (no, I'm not going for alliteration), and deadlines. But I had a great weekend to enjoy with my mom and Grace before the focused time begins.


We had some friend time with the Imbody girls at their beautiful mountain home on Saturday, then were able to have some family time as well. Family is such a blessing, especially one that encourages and challenges each other toward Christ-likeness.
The Lord's return is imminent. But do I live like it? I want to long for Christ's return, whether I am in the midst of suffering, or in the midst of abundance. I am not here for myself.

A Different Fall

My month of school has been great--much less taxing than last year's. I thank the Lord for this specific answer to prayer. My classes are stimulating and practical, and the teachers are great. I am accompanying three students--a flutist, a vocalist, and a violinist. And I am teaching again--Class Piano Mus 100--15 non-piano music majors. That has been a fun challenge. Continuing to work part-time for the music ed. director has also been good. I enjoy the diversion provided by copying, grading, working with spreadsheets and doing other random jobs.
Another encouragement and direct answer to prayer has been time to get involved at church. Playing the piano, Wed. night home group, and babysitting have established opportunities for new relationships with the body of Christ. As for school opportunities, another grad student and I are continuing the musicians' Bible study from last year.
God knew I needed the challenges of last year, and this year is not without its own, but I am grateful for the confidence in His will, His control, and His steadfast love. Please continue to pray for my witness, and my active dependence on the Lord for every step. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall make straight your paths." (Pr. 3:6). I believe the "straightness" does not guarantee easiness. But I do believe it testifies of God's intimate guidance and continual presence, giving assurance to the path He has planned.

Light Bearing

I am officially "old" at the graduate thing now. No longer am I supposed to be the one with all of the questions. The new students who are bold (or maybe humble?) enough to ask look to me for answers. There is an element of relief contained in the fact that I am past the transitional stage, and that I am currently 8 months away from graduation. But I also have been confronted with my calling as a believer here at JMU. "You are the light of the world....Let your light so shine" (Matt. 5:14, 16).
But I thought Christ was the Light--"I am the Light of the world" (Jn. 8:12). How can a sinful creature produce something equal to the pure Light of God? It can't.
I am not called to be a light producer; my calling, and the calling of every other believer, I might add, is to be a light bearer. Christ in us--the Light shines. Nothing I do creates light. Only as I interact with the Light will it carry through to light up the darkness around me. My responsibility then becomes a removal of any inner obstacle that dims or diffuses the light from its intended strength and purpose.
Praise God for using imperfect vessels, yet ones that He has redeemed and called His Own! I am excited about the opportunities to transfer the Light this semester. Whether facilitating a weekly Bible study for musicians, accompanying at church, or simply interacting with other graduates, students, and teachers, God has made me aware and eager to make the most of my time here.
My first week went well. Between classes, research, recital preparation, accompanying, office work, and teaching, my schedule is full, but not overloaded. I am teaching a class of 16 the beginnings of piano keyboard skills. The planning requires creative thought and careful consideration, but the product is rewarding--at least for me, and hopefully for the students as well!
I will make a point to keep my readers informed of God's work this semester. Recounting His greatness deserves to be shared. And I value your prayers highly, knowing that the battle is not against flesh and blood.

Thoughts to Leave By

Summer, as I have known it, has come to an end. Tomorrow morning, I drive up to Harrisonburg for a few days of various meetings, unpacking, lesson planning, and preparation for Monday, the start of my final year of school. Without knowing my entire schedule, I already see the potential for a very busy semester. But God has recently opened my eyes to the unhealthy extremes I naturally live by. My goal-oriented drive enables me to accomplish a lot, but often at the expense of a greater good. Graduate school and "busy" are somewhat intertwined, but I am praying that the Lord will give me wisdom in how to eliminate the unnecessary busyness. I also desire to enjoy and benefit from the process of each responsibility and relationship the Lord brings into my path.
Mom, Katie, and I did a study together on the kings of Israel and Judah. The most impacting lesson for me came from the kings who started out well, but then really messed things up. They started out humble, dependent on God, seeking Him, and walking in obedience. But then, they got strong. They became comfortable, won their battles, got more land, gained a lot of wealth and status. . . and then, they didn't "need" God. Other attractions turned their heart away from God. So, knowing my tendencies, I recognize that I need to see my weaknesses in order to stay dependent on the Lord. It is His GRACE that exposes the ugliness. But then, I see the beauty of Who I am in Him. And, while the tension remains now, I have the hope of eternal resolution when I will be glorified and no longer struggle!
But until then, I praise Him for His wisdom, His mercy, and His strength that enables me to live the life He created for His glory. And whatever weaknesses I face this semester, I pray that the lessons from my summer will not have been in vain.

Hand Crafted

"Thou art my God. My times are in Thy hand" Ps. 31:14-15.
"The environment necessary for one's growth, and the enablement necessary for one's service, are both in the hands of the Creator. 'So He fed them according to the integrity of His heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of His hands'(Ps. 78:72).
What we have all to do is to walk closely and quietly with the Lord Jesus, and the blessing will come when He has established His work. There is a sifting government of God as well as a perfect redemption, and He is full of patience. His purpose is glory; His ways are the wilderness.'
"There are various ways in which as saints we are tried, but through all circumstances God is threading our way, occupying Himself with us, our particular characters, etc., to instruct and develop us. What we want is to realize that our Father loves us so much that He has taken such pains to make us 'partakers of His holiness' (Heb. 12:10). We are apt not to believe the activity of His love. Some trouble comes upon us; our Father has been watching us individually for weeks, months, years; watching us to bring this trouble which He sees is needed.' -H.H.S.
"How varied are the ways in which the Father bringeth down and lifteth up! We have to learn the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in the bright day as well as in the sorrowful day. If He is everything to me in my brightest day there is no fear but He will be my chief joy in the day of sorrow."
-NBTHH 7.29

Pipestem Week

"Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May Your glory shine over all the earth....My heart is confident in You, O God....I will waken the dawn with my song....For Your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds."
Ps. 57:5,7,8,10

A great week in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. Each morning, Dad, Uncle Garrett, and I ran the scenic (and hilly) Park roads, rain or shine. The three of us also, along with Mom and Nana, took a great 6 mile hike on several connecting trails.

The highlight of that trek was spotting the waterfall. Dad found the first lookout, and in my attempt to get closer, I found another small path that led us right to the top. Pictures don't capture the sound, but it was melodious.
The brightly colored millipede caught our eye on the woody trail, and we found (and I ate) wild blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

The hollowed tree was very rotten, but I made it up and down and left it still standing. I doubt it will be there when we return.


I'm thankful for the rest, for the exercise, and for the family time, all enjoyed in a place where the glory of God's creation is undeniable.

WV and Steadfastness

I'm off to Pipestem State Park with my family for the week. The mountains provide beauty and challenge for running. My goal is 30 miles over the 6 days. Whether I meet that or not, I look forward to the week.

"We do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies." Dan. 9:18
Our deeds waver, but His mercies do not. Therefore, our supplications can be continuously offered in confidence.

A few more pictures

These don't fit into a specific category, except maybe "taste of Ecuador," but I wanted to give you as much as I could.
This is a delicacy. Yes, it honestly is guinea pig. And yes, I have eaten it. It tastes a lot like greasy chicken. Each year, they kindly provide us with the expensive experience. The before and after shots.

Final days 7-9, 6.27-9

Friday morning, we descended from our mountain retreat at Papallacta into the city of Quito. Arriving back at our first hotel, we unloaded our things and enjoyed an afternoon in the marketplace and street shops. Friday night, the team was treated to dinner at one of Quito's fanciest restaurants. The food was great, and the dinner music was even better!
We stopped at the "Middle of the World" monument before arriving at the hotel. A few years ago, researches checked the accuracy of the sight according to modern G.P.S. and found that the original calculations were surprisingly close. However they were still off by a few hundred feet, so now you will find two places to visit, the one with the common tourist center, and then the smaller, more historical (and correct) place. The latter is where we visited.
Because they know exactly where the equator lies, all the experiments you've heard about, like the direction of the water funnel, less gravity, etc. can be demonstrated and proven. That was fun. The picture of the glass ball is an ancient clock, as the sun burns the paper below, marking the time. We also saw a preserved shrunken head. Sadly, this type of barbaric action existed until just 15 years ago.

Our scheduled flight out of Quito Saturday morning left over an hour late, resulting in an extra night in Florida. But God provided another time to spend with Grat's parents, and another reminder that His timing is perfect AND best.
Mom and Buddy warmly greeted Dad and me at the Tri-Cities airport at 12:15pm Sunday afternoon. Katie was still on her way home from her missions trip to New Mexico, and Grace was asleep half way around the world in Cambodia. Our family was spread out, but what a great reminder of God's omnipresence, to hear of His work being done in so many places at once!
I doubt my recaps have done justice in testifying of God's glory, but I hope it gave you enough of a taste to praise Him along with me.
"Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors Me. If you keep to My path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God." Ps. 50:23 (NLT)

Day 6, 6.26

Thursday was a gift of a day. Having been cloudy all week, we woke up to our first spotting of Mt. Chimborazo. Although only 21,000 ft. above sea level, the equatorial bulge results in the mountain's tip being the furthest point from the center of the earth.
We had a 5.5 hour drive to Papallacta, our "day off" retreat. What a perfect day to have clear skies! A number of volcanoes line the Pan-American highway, and we were able to see more than our leader had even seen (and he's done this trip at least 11 times). The high peaks put Is. 54:10 in a new light: "'For the mountains shall depart, and the hills shall be removed, but My kindness shall not depart, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord who has mercy on you." Someday, these firmly established rocks will crumble and be gone, but God's loyalty cannot and will not ever be weakened. It will remain forever and ever.

It would take more words than I can string together, or maybe even create, to describe the place, but it is a unique conglomeration of straw-covered bungalows, natural hot springs 10 feet from your door that have been tapped into small tiled pools, rainforest-like flora, waterfalls, majestic mountains towering above you


(and you are already at 12,000 feet), and then cows and llamas. It is a spa and resort nestled down in the valley of a huge mountain. The unusual location produces its unusual climate, but also allows for beautiful nature unlike anything I've seen in one place, especially Ecuador! I know I can't post enough pictures to give you an accurate taste, but you can go to snapfish.com, enter the email: sarah.billingsby@yahoo.com, and password: ecuador, to view more pictures. Dad's and mine are there, as well as other team members'.
Every thing we did there was wonderful and relaxing...well, three of us attempted a run, but after a total of 13 minutes, my lungs overpowered my will. It would be a great training place though, especially with inexpensive spa and massage treatment! But the run was well worth the experience, as we got a glimpse of a sunlit volcano behind wispy clouds that had been hidden the day before (Left picture above).
The highlight for me was the waterfall hike. Again, pictures, and even video, won't do, but here is a taste. I think what impacted me the most was to witness the surrounding magnitude while staring at delicate creations. Flowers, intricate and vibrant in focus, but then zoom out and realize the overwhelming grandeur. It was incredible. I have always loved the sight and sound of waterfalls, and in this setting, it was even more special.



.

Day 4 - Second musical highlight

Tuesday evening, the church in Riobamba held a service so that we could worship with them. Seeing the bond of the body of Christ transcend language and culture is an incredible experience, something that has been a highlight in every country I've visited during the past eight years. But this night, I had the opportunity to join the worship team and play the keyboard. Of the 7 songs, I recognized 2. And my ear training was stretched even further as we reviewed the music 30 minutes prior to starting. The lead guitarist taught me the first song's key intro and even decided during the service to add a new song. I believe that is the first time I have ever learned a song as it is being performed. Thankfully, much of the Spanish music is repetitive, so I almost had it by the end. :)
Jared Wyrick, a team doctor and guitar player, and I also did a simple arrangement of "Be Thou My Vision" before testimonies.
One other highlight of Wednesday evening was sitting next to Belen at dinner. I knew her from my first trip when she had also come to help translate. I had no idea she would be back, but I enjoyed the spiritual fellowship with her. Now 25, she is currently attending a Bible college in Peru, a long-awaited answer to her prayer. Have you ever been around people who radiate Christ? She is one of them.

Days 4-5, 6.24-5

While the rest of the dental team continued on, I spent the last two work days at the Ark, an orphanage run by Ron and Glenda Allan, Canadian missionaries who have been in Riobamba for 11 years. I've yet to see anything so run by day-to-day faith. I've read stories - like George Mueller and immediate answers to prayer for the next meal - and I tend to place them in the "story" compartment of my understanding, something I know God can do, but don't expect to ever witness. Yet these supernatural events are taking place. God's faithfulness shone brightly even during my two days there: a cash gift given within 12 hours of finding out their bank account had been closed, a man on the trip in the position to, as well as given a burden to put together a large shippable container with supplies for the Ark, a vision among several to set up a dental/medical clinic within the Ark's compound, etc. I know there are more testimonies than I am aware of, but God's timing and care were strikingly visible.
Tuesday morning, I was meditating on Ps. 48. Written by the descendants or Korah, these writers praised God for a multitude of attributes: greatness, defense, unfailing love, strength, victory, justice, guidance. God had revealed Himself to them, proving the consistency of His character while remaining unfathomably complex. I recognized that what He reveals may add to or even reshape my knowledge structure, but it will never break or contradict the truth I know. I prayed that the Lord would allow me to see His character that day as He kept my thoughts on Him. And He answered in specific ways. One was the witness of what I shared above. Another was a little boy named Danielo. All of the 23 babies/toddlers I spent my day with are unique and special, but one little guy struck a chord. He is small for his 9 months, and the doctors say he is completely blind. Ron Allan believes he will see one day, and several times I was convinced he tracked my hand, or a toy I would quietly place in front of him. I held him and prayed for him, first that his sight would be restored. But then, I realized how much more important it would be for his eyes to be opened to his heavenly Father.

Danielo is the little boy who appears to be looking right at me.
The other pictures are of dinner time with the babies, Jennifer, and Samuel.

Day 3 - First musical highlight

Monday evening, a few of the team were invited to the home of our Ecuadorian ENT. I met his daughter at the clinic that morning, and she spoke of her family's love for music. Simply expecting dinner and some collaboration between my playing and her singing, we all had quite a cultural experience! When we arrived at 7:30, the first thing Jemimah did was seat me at the keyboard. They wanted me to play for them. Thankfully, "Be Thou My Vision" was fresh in my mind and fingers, so I played through a few verses. She then brought out vocal sheet music with guitar chords, and her father, Kleber, strapped on his guitar. For the next hour, the three of us worked through several of her favorites. If I couldn't figure something out, she would play the song for me on her phone, thinking I should be able to copy! My ear training paid off, but was challenged past current capacity!
Being a musical family, next to enter the door was Kleber's father, a "maestro" (music teacher), 89 years old, and avid accordion player. Thirty minutes of serenade followed, some of the music very recognizable, yet with Spanish lyrics. The bottom clip will give you a taste. I even got to try it out.
By 9pm, pizza, salad, and fruit and ice cream were served. Besides messing with my internal clock, this was my first highlight of trip.

Ecuador Days 2-3, 6.22-3

Sunday and Monday I spent in the dental clinic. Because of Calshi's location on the mountain, a large cloud loomed over us for much of each day. Temperatures remained in the low 50s, and we experienced frequent downpours. Yet the people still came. My responsibility ended up being to provide light for Francis, our Australian dentist. One small light bulb hung from the ceiling, and each dentist had a headlight, but these did not provide enough to adequately work in the patients' mouths. So I got hours of practice in being very still, trying to illuminate the target area. What a privilege to be able to do such a seemingly insignificant task for the Master's glory!
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do [even holding headlights], do all to the glory of God." I Cor. 10:31

Ecuador Day 1 - 6.21

We had another flight delay out of Miami, but again witnessed a powerful display. From the large glass windows of the airport, I sat, read, and watched an incredible lightning storm. And we still made it to the capital of Quito. After another 1:45am bedtime, we had a short but great sleep at Hotel La Reina Isabel. The equatorial country does not need the Daylight Savings hour, so, although directly below Virgina, we were one hour behind EST. My prayer for patience and gentleness saw answers throughout the entire trip. When the inefficient, seemingly unproductive, and unnecessary events arose, I was reminded of God's presence, and His work in me.
The drive "up" to Riobamba took 4 hours and 15 minutes, and most of us slept. After arriving at Hotel Chimborazo, we settled in our rooms for the week. Dad and I were in room 213 - "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him" (Phil. 2:13). What a great reminder and encouragement every time I entered the door.
Still not having reached our work destination, we boarded a new bus, and drove up even higher to the small, unmapped village of Calshi.
Situated on Mt. Chimborazo, we were about 10,000 ft. above sea level.
A small church graciously let us set up our clinics in their school/church/kitchen buildings, and we traveled about 45 minutes each day for the four days we provided dental, medical, pharmaceutical, optical, and therapeutic care. Each person that came first heard the gospel before having their secondary needs met. Over 1000 people received care, the most important being spiritual. Although I don't know totals, our physical therapist was able through an interpreter to lead two patients to the Lord! That is the ultimate reason we went.

Pre-days 1-3, 6.18-20

Our plane that we were supposed to leave on at 7pm didn't even arrive at the airport until 9:30. As we took off at 10:45pm, I realized that the Lord was wanting me to pray for patience for the week, something that He gave me more opportunities to test and to experience His work in my heart. But I did get to see the orangest full moon I've ever viewed in our sky. The week was replete with such spottings of a beautiful creation.
Our smaller group of 8 arrived late in Ft. Lauderdale to be greeted by our leader's parents. We stayed with them until Friday when we met up with almost all of the team - 36 in all. After getting to bed at 1:45am, we had a relaxing day in Ft. Lauderdale, saw some interesting sights, including a banyan tree, whose roots grow from the branches down to the ground.
That morning, I went for a brief (and very humid) run after waking up to a 2-colored sky: bright sun and black clouds, with a massive 1/2-arch rainbow. The run ended in rain, but was well worth it.
I've marveled at the analogy of continuous sunshine above the darkest of clouds. In God's unfathomable but trustworthy character, He often allows dark times - rain, storms, times of confusion, doubt, hardship, etc. Because of truth, we can cling to the promises, even if we don't feel or even see them being fulfilled. But that morning, I mused from another angle. Sometimes we see the sun, even when it is raining above us. Sometimes He allows the 2-part sky, the clear evidence of His shining presence as the rain cloud above drops its fill. This duality gives a different perspective on the rain. It isn't as dreary, and it even glistens in the light of the sun. Rainbows peak at this point as well.
The sun came out and provided a great afternoon to sit outside and read. I think I read more over two days than I had in the weeks before! The Peacemaker by Ken Sande was a thought-provoking but helpful book.

Ecuatorial Recaps

I've been contemplating all week long how to best convey my experiences in Ecuador, but have yet to devise a way that justly suffices. So, over the next few days, I plan to recap the highlights of each day, providing some photos that will hopefully enhance your ability to taste of at least a bit of what I did. It was a great week that evidenced God's presence and power from beginning to end. In my own prayer for patience and gentleness, God answered by providing delays on both ends of our flights, yesterday's resulting in the purchase of another ticket, another night in Ft. Lauderdale, and arriving home today rather than Saturday evening. But even in that, I felt the joy and peace of His presence, not getting anxious as I usually do about delays and unknowns. And also, we got one more night with our leader's atheist parents and another couple who was interested in hearing about the work we did. As much as I trusted God to get us home on time, I had even greater confidence in His timing, and the greatest avenue for His glory. Those attitudes are a work of the Spirit, I know!

From North to South

Dad and I fly to Ft. Lauderdale tonight and then to Quito, Ecuador on Friday. After having been on an extended short-term mission trip to Russia last summer, a week-stay seems less significant. But I don't want to have that mindset. God is not limited by time, nor even by other barriers such as language or culture. I am praying that the Lord would give me opportunity to testify of Christ, not simply in my service, but also in verbal witness. The time with Dad is also something I look forward to. Finding true fellow laborers with whom to serve the Lord together is a rare yet refreshing joy.

The needs of the Quechua Indians are both physical and spiritual. I hope to witness both being met this next week.
"Often all we think of is, having our need met; but how little a thing that is with God! It would cost Him nothing, we may say, to meet the need of a lifetime in a moment; and a lesser love than His would supply it at once, and get rid of the constant burden.
But that is not His way. To supply the need is a small thing; but to supply it in such a way as to make us feel in each seasonable supply the Father's heart never withdrawn from us, the Father's heart ever employed about us--that is what He means. 'Give us our daily bread': is it not much more than to ask, 'Give us now, that we may not have to come again?'"

-From NBTHH 6.14