252 square feet

Today we met with Mrs. Perez about building her a new home in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic in a couple of weeks.  Her teenage son spends countless days with my husband Michael in our Fellowship of Christian Athletes ministry here in the DR.  Her two little girls play outside in a cardboard box with a couple of real toys.  Her other son sucks on two fingers, listening in on the conversations about where we will place the rooms in his new house.  The older sister, who has the best smile, peeks out the front door to watch the 8 of us plus the contractor discuss the project.  Another brother comes and goes as we continue to discuss when to pour the floor slab over the uneven rock bed that we stand on.

Mrs. Perez lives in a house that is 252 square feet.  She has 6 children and a husband.  8 people in 252 square feet.  3 beds, 1 sofa, a makeshift kitchen and a toilet.  No shower, no where for 8 people to sit and eat dinner together.  One window.  She cooks outside on a single burner fueled by wood.  She always has a smile.  

She seemed shocked when we asked where she wanted the kitchen.  She looked overwhelmed.  She loves Jesus and I am sure she can't see how she is getting a new home built for her and her family.  Now when 8 people go to sleep at night, they won't only be in 3 beds in 252 square feet.  She will almost have double that space.  Bedrooms for her children, they will no longer have fabric partitions separating the modest living room from the sleeping areas.  I don't know what was going through her mind, but I am sure she was thinking that God was providing for her family, and she was blessed.

One of the little girls playing in a box, I think she is 3 or 4.

Here is a video of the house so you can get an idea of what we are working with

How can you help?  Well we are raising $10,000 to fund this housing project (they own the land already, and we are tearing down the existing home).  This afternoon we are a few thousand dollars away from raising what we need for this project.

Go to SERVE International's website and choose "Build a Home" and you can donate money there.  We also have a couple of spots if you want to come to the DR on a mission trip and help build the house.  Contact me and I can give you more information.  Two trips are coming here the week of September 17th or 24th.  100% of your donation goes to this project.  Just think, if you skip 2 dinners out with your family and easily give $100 without really missing anything.

http://servone.org/donate

Thank you ahead of time for considering helping this family!

Jodi Shaheen

Sharing the Hope and the Love

So you probably know how much I love reading (and sharing) the Jesus Calling Devotional each day.  So I was pretty excited when I found out there was a Spanish version!  Then I found out there was an iPhone app IN SPANISH!!  So I could share without either having to retype or translate it from English to Spanish.  My friend Lindsay and I searched by topic and found a few that we felt were really meaningful to print out and share with some of our new or soon to be girl friends.  Then I thought....why don't we print out a few each day and just randomly share them with people we come across!  So each day I print at least three, wrap them on scrapbook paper and wrap them in some raffia.

Originally we were going to share them with the women on the side of the road near my home that we suspected were prostitutes.  Then once we had them printed out...do you think we could find even one prostitute?  NOPE

So we decided to share with ANY woman that we see.  Or tuck them in the linen closet of a hotel in between the sheets and towels.  I am even thinking of just dropping one on the ground so it can find the one person who needs to hear what Jesus wants to say to them that day.

I was really surprised by the reactions.  Most of the women we gave them to lit up and smiled and said "muchas gracias" (thank you very much).  They held onto them for a while before they opened them.  One woman handed hers to a friend since she couldn't read.

Lindsay gave one to a woman yesterday and got the same reaction.  As she sat down for her breakfast she took her glasses and put them on to read it.  She later found Lindsay and thanked her and told her that God sent that message personally to her.  So amazing!  So blessed to be able to touch these women with a little bit of God's love!

If you aren't aware of Jesus Calling it is a devotional written like a love letter to us from Jesus.  The author shares the words God put on her heart as she read through scripture and journaled about what she heard.

"Jesus Calling" is a devotional filled with uniquely inspired treasures from heaven for every day of the year. After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever she believed He was saying to her. It was awkward at first, but gradually her journaling changed from monologue to dialogue. She knew her writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but journaling helped her grow closer to God.

Here is the devotional for today:

Jesus Calling ~ June 14

I have loved you with an everlasting Love. Before time began, I knew you. For years you swam around in a sea of meaninglessness, searching for Love, hoping for hope. All that time I was pursuing you, aching to embrace you in My compassionate arms.

When time was right, I revealed Myself to you. I lifted you out of that sea of despair and set you down on a firm foundation. Sometimes you felt naked—exposed to the revealing Light of My Presence. I wrapped an ermine robe around you: My robe of righteousness. I sang you a Love song, whose beginning and end are veiled in eternity. I infused meaning into your mind and harmony into your heart. Join Me in singing My song. Together we will draw others out of darkness into My marvelous Light.

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”

—Jeremiah 31:3

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

—Isaiah 61:10

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

—1 Peter 2:9 nkjv

Here is the Spanish version:

Jesus te llama ~ junio 14

YO TE HE AMADO con un amor eterno. Antes que comenzara el tiempo yo ya te conocía. Durante años tú te moviste en un mar de sinsentido, buscando amor, esperanza. Todo ese tiempo yo anduve tras ti anhelando tenerte en mis brazos compasivos.

Cuando fue el tiempo me revelé a ti. Te saqué de ese mar de desesperación y te puse sobre un fundamento firme. Hubo ocasiones en que te sentiste desnudo, expuesto a la luz reveladora de mi Presencia. Te arropé con una capa de armiño: mi capa de justicia. Te canté una canción de amor, cuyo comienzo y final están cubiertos en eternidad. Infundí sentido a tu mente y puse armonía en tu corazón. Une tu voz a la mía para cantar mi canción. Juntos traeremos a otros de las tinieblas a mi luz maravillosa.

Jehová se manifestó a mí hace ya mucho tiempo, diciendo: Con amor eterno te he amado; por tanto, te prolongué mi misericordia. 

—Jeremías 31.3

Me deleito mucho en el SEÑOR; me regocijo en mi Dios. Porque él me vistió con ropas de salvación y me cubrió con el manto de la justicia. Soy semejante a un novio que luce su diadema, o una novia adornada con sus joyas.

—Isaías 61.10 (NVI)

Pero ustedes no son así porque son un pueblo elegido. Son sacerdotes del Rey, una nación santa, posesión exclusiva de Dios. Por eso pueden mostrar a otros la bondad de Dios, pues él los ha llamado a salir de la oscuridad y entrar en su luz maravillosa.

—1 Pedro 2.9 (NTV)

Jesus is calling you....will you answer?

Jesus Calling....in Spanish

Every morning I open my eyes, and immediately reach for my iPhone.  I go directly to my Jesus Calling app, read it, then go to Facebook and make it my status update.  I hear from friends that say they go to my page first thing in the morning so they can read Jesus Calling for the day too!


When I found out there is a Jesus Calling in Spanish...I was so excited!!  

What could happen to the Dominican women (and men) if they could read the amazing love notes from God each day from this book?  


My hope is to be able to bring as many of these books to the Dominican and give them to the women here.  I am part of a ministry here called the Lily House that ministers to prostitutes in the Dominican.  There are also many young believers that I know that are in need of the truth of how much their heavenly Father loves them and wants them to have a relationship with Him.


If you want to help make this happen, you can send me $10.00 for one book, or $25.00 for (3) books.  I am coming to Georgia June 21st, so I can have them waiting for me when I arrive and take them back with me.  I will put all the money together and buy as many books as I can with the donated money.


Best way would be to PayPal me the money at jodi@dominicanfcabaseballministry.com


Or you can mail me the money to be in my PO Box by June 21st, just email me at jodi@dominicanfcabaseballministry.com and I can send you the PO Box in Georgia to send the money to.


In case you are not aware of this amazing daily devotion here is today's.....



Jesus Calling ~ June 8


I want you to be all Mine, filled with the Light of My Presence. I gave everything for you by living as a man, then dying for your sins and living again. Hold back nothing from Me. Bring your most secret thoughts into the Light of My Love. Anything you bring to Me I transform and cleanse from darkness. I know everything about you, far more than you know of yourself. But I restrain My yearning to “fix” you, waiting instead for you to come to Me for help. Imagine the divine restraint this requires, for I have all Power in heaven and on earth.


Seek My Face with a teachable spirit. Come into My Presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed.


Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
—Matthew 28:18


Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
—Psalm 100:4


You can get the app HERE.


Thank you for helping me spread Jesus Calling in Spanish to the Dominican People! 

Rendered Ineffective for Christ

I read this today here. 

The devil is constantly scheming against us. 
He wants to 
stir up trouble,
cause dissention, 
distract our hearts 
and render us ineffective for the cause of Christ. 
He wants us to fall prey to his bitterness and run away emotions.


That is me....distracted.
I have been rendered ineffective for the cause of Christ.


I have been in a funk lately and I know I am struggling to get out, but then I see LOTS of time has gone by and I feel like I have done nothing effective for the cause of Christ.  I am wasting my life!

Last week I finished a book Confessions of a Prayer Slacker and I got fired up to change my ways (It is 99 cents on the Kindle, go get you one!).  I stopped taking mulligans for not having time with God each day.  I read the book, which was partially procrastinating against quiet time.  I wanted to make sure I was doing it right...all in the name of research, right!  So I finished the book, in tears, and then I opened my journal, got a notecard so I was sure to remember the guidelines the author talks about in her book.  First, was to begin reading IN THE BIBLE, so I am reading through the Psalms on YouVersion.  I love to read how other people are doing it, what other's have to say about Jesus, but that isn't the most important thing.  Then I am journaling and praying every morning before I start my day (usually after the kids leave for school at 7:30).  I am on Day 6, in a row, HUGE for me people!!  Usually this is how I work...I get fired up for a day, then the next day I see something shiny and I am off doing something stupid, and not what should be doing for a good spiritual life.  I don't say this to brag, but for a couple of reasons.  To put it out there that maybe someone will keep me accountable, "Hey Jodi how are you doing with your quiet time?" and and also that maybe someone else would be inspired.  I do read devotionals and a lot of other people's books, but what I was lacking was ACTUALLY reading the bible and having a one-on-one relationship with God each and every day.  It is important that we read the Bible for ourselves, so we can get the truths that are in the Bible first hand AND intimacy with God.  It was evident to me that God was preparing my heart for this as I was constantly coming across things that were pointing me in that direction.  He was gracefully reminding me and convicting me that there was more.  Thank you, God, cause you have to hit me over the head quite a few times before I really GET it sometimes.  Oh yea, you know that already huh?


In the past week I have come across things like these.....


"When all your favorite preachers are gone, and all their books forgotten, you will have your Bible. Master it. Master it." --- John Piper


and this article


Why Bible Study doesn't Transform Us


and this


Jesus Calling ~ May 15

Spending time alone with Me is essential for your well-being. It is not a luxury or an option; it is a necessity. Therefore, do not feel guilty about taking time to be with Me. Remember that Satan is the accuser of believers. He delights in heaping guilt feelings upon you, especially when you are enjoying My Presence. When you feel Satan’s arrows of accusation, you are probably on the right track. Use your shield of faith to protect yourself from him. Talk with Me about what you are experiencing, and ask Me to show you the way forward. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to Me, and I will come near to you.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. “For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.”
—Revelation 12:10

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
—Ephesians 6:16

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
—James 4:7–8


and this

and this

The once concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying.  He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion.  He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.  Samuel Chadwick

Friends, I hope you find inspiration in these words, and you find your way to the best way for you.  If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them?  When do you have your quiet time?  How do you structure your time with God each day?  

I leave you with these pieces of preciousness!  I can't get enough of this little girl!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

It is Mother's Day and since I am far, far away from hugging on my own Mom's neck and since I am always behind in getting things done (her gift won't make it to her on time for Sunday), I wanted to do something special for my Mom.  I am in the Dominican Republic and she is on beautiful Cape Cod.  So in place of being there in person, I thought I would try to thank her for all she has done for me in the last 40 years.  I love you Mom!  

Encouragement

I found Proverbs 31 Ministries recently and their writers always seem to know just what I need to hear.  Today's email I felt led to share with anyone who is feeling discouraged.  I have been in the pit of discouragement before where I felt I couldn't even see my way out.  I am blessed today that I don't feel this way, but I know that many others do.  So I wanted to share.  When you are in that pit please realize that there is one thing, the enemy, and he has come to steal your peace and get you to believe lie.  I think we can make it more than it needs to be and therefore give the enemy more credit than they deserve.  But if we go the other way and think there is no enemy then that can also be very dangerous (even more dangerous I believe)!  

In John 10 we learn "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy".  When we ignore all the annoyances that come up in the day....the "peace stealers" I like to call them, then hopefully the enemy retreats defeated.   To give you an example of how this can happen.  One day (back before kids when I was working a million hours/week) I left my house for work.  I got up the street, already late, and realized I forgot my phone.  Super frustrated, I whipped into somewhere to turn around, my blood boiling.  Really tired from being up all night thinking about all the things that I had to get done and not sleeping, I was in a fog of deliriousness.  Practically on two wheels I flew back into the neighborhood and into the driveway, heart racing in a panic.  Coming to a screeching stop I opened the door to my car as the garage door continued its ascent.  Well I never put the car in park and it started to roll....into my house!  I jumped back in the car, slammed on the breaks just inches away from destruction.  As I look back on this I see how distracted (enemy's most common weapon) I was by "things".  Obviously life for me now in tropical paradise is much calmer.  Life seems to be slower.  I am not working a million hours and not sleeping.  But I can also look at things differently, because there are still distractions.  When I am late for something now instead of speeding and putting myself (and others) in danger...I turn on some Christian music and meditate to the words.  I will there when I get there.  Oh, I forgot my cell phone....well I can live without it today.  Which day sounds more peaceful??


I really don't miss the typical American lifestyle (working a ton to pay for stuff you couldn't afford and driving in crazy traffic).  I really can't see myself wanting it back anytime soon.  Simplify and start the day in His Word making that important can set the day off on the right foot!  


In His Grip, Jodi

April 18, 2012 It's Not Supposed to be This Way By Renee Swope "We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10:39 (NIV, 1984) "I can't do this." "Things will never change." "My life isn't going to get better." "I'll never have the confidence I need." Those are some depressing thoughts, aren't they? But oh how quickly they slip into our minds and convince our hearts that they are true. There have been times when I felt almost paralyzed by thoughts like these that were laced with uncertainty. Times when I let self-doubt convince me that feelings of inadequacy and discouragement were normal. Times when I've shrunk back from changes and challenges, as well as opportunities and open doors. Other times I've pulled back in my relationships - with family and friends, and even God. Shrinking back into a place of unbelief ... settling for less than God's best. All because I was tired of muddling through apprehension and indecision. Are there days when doubt convinces you that feeling inadequate and discouraged is normal? Or that having confident assurance isn't possible for someone like you? I think we sometimes forget we have an enemy who uses self-doubt against us - who shouts from the sidelines: "It's too hard." "You might as well quit." "Go ahead and give up." "You don't have what it takes." It's time for us to take a stand and stop listening to these lies. God wants us to know and believe that with Christ all things are possible - even a confident heart. Otherwise doubt, and the enemy, will win every time and our hearts will be eroded by attitudes and emotions of defeat. But it's not supposed to be this way. All throughout scripture, God tells us things can change; life can be better. He declares with confidence: "See, I am doing a new thing!" "I am working all things together for good for those who love me and are called according to my purpose." "All things are possible to [her] who believes." (Isa. 43:19; Rom. 8:28; Mark 9:23) So how do we stop listening to our doubts and start living in the power of God's promises? By choosing to believe God's truths more than our feelings and fears. By moving beyond believing in God to really believing God as we rely on the power of His Words and live like they are true - no matter what our feelings tell us. It is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day, doubt-by-doubt decision where we process our thoughts and emotions with God, positioning our hearts and minds to let His perspective redefine ours with each uncertainty we face. Some days I do better than others, and you will too. But I have found that it's possible to have lasting Christ-confidence by choosing to remember to believe. Let's choose to remember today, and every day, the words of Hebrews 10:39, that we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed - but of those who believe and are saved! Lord, give me a confident heart in Christ. I want You to lead me beyond believing in You to truly believing You. Help me rely on the power of Your promises and live like they are true. When self-doubt tells me I can't overcome my insecurities, I will believe Your promise that all things are possible to whoever believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Related Resources: Today's devotion is based on truths Renee also shares in her powerful book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. Are you ready to live in the power of God's promises? To take hold of the security of His love? Join Renee's online study of her best-selling book, A Confident Heart, beginning April 23rd. Here's what others are saying about her study: Through this online study of A Confident Heart I have learned to seek and find the strength God desires me to have. I can also be confident that when I do fall short God still loves me anyway. What a blessing and a gift! ~ Cindy This book and online study has made such a difference in my life. I now see myself as God sees me, and that gives me confidence to be more of the person He has always desired me to be. I am beautiful in His eyes, and now believe He is really the one who matters! ~Sherri Click here for more details about Renee's online study or sign up here today! For more daily encouragement and powerful truths, join Renee's Confident Heart Facebook page. Reflect and Respond: Have you ever agreed with the whispers of doubt and found yourself stuck in a cycle of defeat? Is there a promise in today's devotion, or in the power verses below, that ministers to your greatest need? Why not write it down and pray it out loud - claiming God's truth and letting it become yours today. Power Verses: 2 Corinthians 2:14, "But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ." (GW) Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (NIV) © 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 Ministries 616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road Matthews, NC 28105 www.Proverbs31.org

What is your calling?

I still struggle with this...and I am a missionary! Or am I? What does that mean? I do know that I need to be intentional and to be a follower of Jesus Christ and not just a fan. I am not just a Christian but I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I don't just believe what I hear from others...I seek out His Word for myself.

I read this today and I wanted to share it with you.  It is from Proverbs 31 Ministries and I thought some of you might need this too!  As Moms I think it is easy to go days and feel like you are accomplishing nothing.  Can I get an Amen?

April 11, 2012 Unfolding By Amy Carroll

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

I stared into the frustrated eyes of my friend last week as we talked about her calling to write. She has big, big dreams, and her dreams seem to be coming true far too slowly.

I told her how much I understood. Stepping into my calling was a long time coming, too.

My specific calling is to teach, speak and write. Your calling may fall into a myriad of other categories, but every calling is equally high when it's in obedience to the Most High. We're ALL called to ministry of some sort.

My calling didn't materialize in a year. It has unfolded during the last 35 years, and each phase of that unfolding has shaped and re-determined the final product (which I know won't be final until my last breath!).

The unfolding looked kind of like this:

Becoming a passionate teacher of young children.
Marrying my best friend.
Investing years in my little boys' lives.
Teaching adults as they chased dreams that passed them by in their teens.
Volunteering in women's ministry.
Visiting home after home as the "Welcome Wagon Lady" in my new town.
Accepting invitations to speak at my church and others close by.
Joining the Proverbs 31 Ministries' speaker team.
Returning to a frustrating year of elementary school teaching.
Stepping in to my calling of equipping others in their calling.

I've look at my list many times and thought, "Wow. I wasted a lot of years." But I've come to realize it's just not true. Every relationship, every job, every opportunity has prepared me. Psalm 90:17 reminds me that God establishes the work of my hands. With each change, I've had an opportunity to view that next place as stepping into a calling. Sometimes I did. Sometimes I didn't.

Often I was irritated at the seeming meaninglessness of what I was doing, but now I see. Every diaper changed, every knee kissed, every book read, every late night listening, every dying to self, every lesson plan made, every story crafted, every presentation made, every meeting attended, every spreadsheet created, EVERY THING...

It all counted.

Every moment was an unfolding of my eventual calling. God used each stepping stone to establish the work I'm doing now.

Don't despair today when you can't see it. Obey God and trust that He is working. His timing is so rarely ours, but it is always perfect. Instead of chaffing under the seemingly mundane, embrace each task as a building block for the dreams in your heart. Don't give up hope.

I promise ... it's coming.

Dear Lord, it's been difficult waiting as the years have come and gone without stepping into my calling. Please help me appreciate each seemingly mundane task and day as a means to you establishing the work of my hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Follow this link for beautiful encouragement from Amy on her blog.

Register today for She Speaks! Our annual conference that helps equip women in their calling to lead, speak and write.

The Reason We Speak and For the Write Reason, Gen Ed. Marybeth Whalen

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst

Reflect and Respond:
Every moment is an unfolding of your eventual calling.

Make a list of the "mundane" things and ask God to show you how He's using them to establish the work of your hands.

Power Verses:
Matthew 9:38, "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV)

1 Peter 4:10-11, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (NIV)

© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org