Elyse Fitzpatrick, Counsel From the Cross
So grateful for the time the Lord Jesus blessed me with to be able to go and see so many dear loved ones this Christmas. To spend time with them IN PERSON was an amazing encouragement to me and a much needed time of fellowship with my church family back in Chicago. Thank you to all of you for being a REAL demonstration of love that helps move my heart to be more like our Savior, Jesus. Below, I have added picture and God stories (weaved in amongst some verses in Ephesians) at how he is showing me this truth - that true transformation will come when we see how much we are loved. When we see the love poured out for us, personally, on the cross - we can do nothing less than offer our lives to be holy transformed into the image of our wonderful Savior. While this has been challenging for me, especially as I am seeking the Lord's will on whether he is calling me to another year of ministry here in Colombia, I am grateful for the reminder to fix my eyes and heart on him and him alone. This way, my desires and heart will be transformed to be inline with the perfect and holy will of the Father. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. ...
We ended our year with a 3rd Grade Christmas Party including our wonderful parents. The kids made Christmas cards and then gave their card to a friend by picking a name out of a hat. This was to encourage them to be friends with everyone (since they did not know who they were making the card for beforehand.) It a BLESSED time to remember together all the Lord has given us and blessed us with, especially our friends.
...In him we redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. ...
It was such a blessing to talk with so many of you about my decision for next year. (Thank you Mom, Kristin, Margo, and Wendi!!) So thankful for my sisters in Christ who have wisdom and insight from the Lord, and that you are willing to be a tool that He uses to guide me and make known His will to me. While I am still in process, I am going to see if the door is even open for me to come back and teach in the States (or if that is even a desire on my heart anymore). Please continue to pray for clear guidance as I send out a resume and look into teaching back home. My heart is in love with two places right now :-)
On my travels back to Colombia, God showed me how he provides:
1. While the frigid cold temperatures in Chicago kept fuel from entering the plane, I eventually was able to make it to Miami. Flying out to Bogota the next morning, I went straight back into work - which was crazy!! But, the Lord provided the energy and time for me to make it through the first three days back (even without my aide - feel better soon, Erica!!)
2. Communication was hard because I do not have a US cell phone anymore - but praise God that I was able to contact my roommates in Colombia about my delay! I have a US phone that works in my apartment in Bogota, but needs to be plugged into my computer to access the Internet before it's used. However, three weeks before I flew home, my roommates and I figured out how to plug it directly into the modem and have it permanently hooked up!! Therefore, a very generous person in the airport let me use their cellphone to call this number and talk to my roommates :-)
3. I came back to ECA and found US mail in my mailbox. It was an adorable letter from an Orchard Kid who I used to teach in Sunday School. What a blessing this was to find when I returned. Thanks Michaela for your love and prayers!!
...In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:3-14
More pictures of my family Christmas, Joshua's 3rd Birthday party, and time at home with family and friends :-)
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| Precious Sammy and his Aunt |
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| Grandma love :-) |
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| Sisters |
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| Sammy with his favorite guy - Gramps!! |
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| Me and my Joshie |
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| Presents from Colombia!! |
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| Happy 3rd birthday Joshua!!! |
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| Playing in the snow in Chiberia :-) |
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| Ice Skating with this lady is always a must!! |
Prayers/Praises:
That God would meet me, with a fresh and renewed heart, in my quiet times with him in the morning.
Construction of the 3rd floor at El Camino is starting soon!! Please pray for everyone involved in this project.
Clear direction on next year - for me and for the other teachers who are in the process of deciding :-) May God's faithfulness and will be apparent to us as we seek where to serve Him.
Renewed energy for school after coming back from our break - so great to see my students again!! May the seed that were planted continue to grow 2nd Semester!
For the sake of the gospel,
Carrie
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