Vision and values are critical to life and ministry.
Without vision, a marriage or ministry is easily led off track.
I can absolutely attest to this!
There have been times when Steve and I have lost site of where we are going (vision)
… only to find ourselves in significant conflict.
Vision keeps us on the same path … moving in the same direction.

The same is true in ministry.
I cannot lead a team of people anywhere if I don’t know where I’m going.
This too I have experienced first hand.
I have led people … and given them complete freedom to plan and take us …
… anywhere …
only to find out when we get there, it’s not exactly what I had in mind.

So, I’ve been doing a tremendous amount of soul searching the past couple weeks.
What is it that God has for our family?  For our marriage?  For our ministry?
Where does HE want us to go?
How does it align with who He has created me to be?
How can I best honor God by pursuing the vision He has laid before me?

What is it that I value?
Not just the things I care about or want to be about …
but what do I truly value, at my core?
What are the non-negotiables, that are true to who I am, and glorifying to my Father?

I remember the day I felt that God called me into missions/ ministry.
I was in high school and my family was attending a church in Arvada.
Some missionaries came through and shared their stories from the field.
I was in awe.
Then, they challenged each person to ask God if He would also call them.
With Steven Curtis Chapman singing “For the Sake of the Call,”
I went down front and asked them to pray for me.
I knew then and there that my life would never be the same.

That experience has taken me to serve with …
Youth With A Mission for 6 years
Campus Crusade for Christ for 6 years
and on 8 mission trips to 11 different countries.

Although now, married, and in my 40s, ministry looks quite a bit different.
My kids are my first ministry.
Four little people clamor for my attention every day, all day long.
They look to me for guidance and direction.

Mavuno Market and Passion for Orphans also provide ministry opportunities.
Church and our CC community provide more.
In fact, ministry opportunities abound.
The needs are endless.

The question becomes … what is it that God has called me to?
What is my vision and what are my values.
I have no doubt that God is taking me through this time right now …
to prepare me for what lies ahead.

I’m thankful.
I’m thankful for Steve.
I’m thankful for my family – my parents and my sister.
And I’m thankful for friends, who are wiser than I, who can help me process.
This is a sweet time.
One I hope makes me wiser … and clearer in my vision for ministry.

The end.