New Blog

Hey so I've changed blogs please check it out at

www.alainamathers.blogspot.com

Transition Again!

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The Butterfly Circus

Amazing Short Film...

Very Touching

Too Sweet Not To Share

Pray for Cuba

HABANA VIEJA from Van Royko on Vimeo.

This is just a few shots of Cuba and the people there.

Love this song.. and the video is amazing too =)

Caught in a Dream

Right now my grandfather and uncle are visiting me in Italy. I can hardly believe they are here and it is nearly time for them to go home again. It feels a bit surreal.. kind of dream like.

An amazing, wonderful dream. I have so enjoyed sharing with them just a bit of what I have experienced over here in Europe. It has been an amazing blessing to see my "new world" through their eyes.

It is the strangest thing ever however to have my two worlds cross over. It also reminds me of how hard this upcoming transition of going home is going to be. It is so good to see a bit of "home" from Montana, but this has become "home" too. I love the people here.. They have become my family.. as did the people in England that are now spread across the ends of the earth. I am nervous, excited, sad, happy, every emotion rolled into one... As it comes closer I know these feelings will intensify as they have this week.

I cannot believe how fast the time is rushing by... It is snowing right but in just a few weeks I hope we can see the signs of spring.

Reality

Something is wrong with this photograph

What is so inviting about a place

Where the shades of black overshadow everything

A shrill cold voice beckons and I turn

Doing its bidding without question

Scrambling for more like a beggar

I can’t grasp enough of this hopelessness

As it pours into me, I am hollowed

My eyes have become haggard and empty

My hunger and thirst never satisfied

Standing on the edge, in the confines of despair

The shallow remains of life flow in my veins

Yearning to poured out to end this pain

Anything to be released from this bitter cold void

Had there once been hope?

Or was that just a fantasy- a desire- a wish

But then- a warm touch- a kind word

Cracks the frozen wasteland of a life

Maybe- just maybe- hope was more than a dream

My eyes freed from the blinding black ice

Open to see an outstretched hand

Scarred for me, He radiates light and warmth

My frozen soul melts in His tender affection

The intensity of His love shatters death’s dark hold

The anguish I felt so deeply vaporizes instantly

As I am filled with warm rays of hope

Overflowing with joy and peace

My heart beats alive and vibrant

A spot of color has broken into this image

But something is still amiss

The cold voice still beckons as darkness waits

Shivering, I cling to the reassurance in that scarred hand

I gaze into the desolate place where I once dwelled

My soft warm heart aches as I behold

People of empty eyes and hopeless lives

A soft whisper fills my ear, “Show them.”

The spark burst into flame as I realize

It’s my turn to be the kind word- the warm touch

He has chosen me to share His radiance

Maybe- just maybe- I can show them the reality of hope

To pour His powerful love into this picture

Bringing vibrant life in color and light

As it was meant to be

~Alaina Mathers

2/3/10

I wrote this after Rick, one of the staff members here, shared one of his favorite verses at team devotions in Italy.

Matthew 24:12-14

~ And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. ~

I really liked the imagery Rick used in talking about how when we turn from God we are in the cold and that sin creeps in like a breath of cold air. Our compassion and love for people and desire to share the love of our Lord Jesus should be as a warming beating heart, alive and vibrant. When we choose sin, we become a dark, empty, hollow without faith or hope. But when we choose God, we receive the gift of life filled with hope and light and a faith that is very much alive and vibrant. In that faith, we are filled with compassion and love for those who are trapped in this hard, cold, dark place where we live. It is rarely easy, but we can spread the warmth if we stay faithful, and keep our eyes on Christ until the end.

Looking Forward

The Truth Hurts, A lies worse

December: Christmas and The New Year

Well,
December has flown by so quickly. . . I can hardly believe we are almost to Christmas. Thinking of everyone at home and missing them. I've decided that goodbyes should never take place as many of my new friends have gone home for Christmas. Currently I am sitting in Switzerland. I was able to travel here to spend Christmas with a friend. It's beautiful and I love it already. Though in some ways it is surreal to be here. I've only got six days here before heading back to England for a busy New Year Outreach. There are many people coming just for the week from all over the world so it should be a good time. Then just three more week in England before heading off to Italy. I know it will fly by. Thank you for all your prayers!

Let's Put CHRIST back into CHRIST-mas!!!

Twas the month before Christmas,
when all through the land,
not a Christian was praying,
nor taking a stand.

See, the PC Police had taken away,
Reason For Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
about Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say.
December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit,
pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CD's from Madonna, and X BOX, and I-Pod.
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa,
in hopes to sell books byFranken and Fonda.

As Target stores were hanging their trees upside down,
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears;
you wont hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty,
are words that were used tointimidate me.

Now Daschle, now Darden, now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen;
on Boxer, onRather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter...
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word,
as they took away our faith,
forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded.
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break",
under the "Dream Tree, SippingStarbucks," listen to me.

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY,
CHOOSE WHAT YOU SAY...
"SHOUT MERRY CHRISTMAS" not "Happy Holiday".
Please, all Christians join together and wish,
EVERYONE YOU MEET during
the holidays a "MERRY CHRISTMAS" .

Christ is the reason for the Christ-mas Season!

A bit of life. . .

A Day Exploring London - Far Too Short

“You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." ~ Samuel Johnson 1709-1784

Made Me Smile so I had to share :)

Words Women Use and What They Really Mean:
littlemiss:
Fine - This is the word women use to end an argument when they feel they are right and you need to shut up. Never use “fine” to describe how a woman looks - this will cause you to have one of those arguments.
Five Minutes - This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the rubbish, so it’s an even trade.
Nothing - This means “something”, and you should be on your toes. “Nothing” is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. “Nothing” usually signifies an argument that will last “Five Minutes” and end with “Fine”.
Go Ahead - At some point in the near future, you are going to be in some mighty big trouble.
Go Ahead (With Raised Eyebrows) - This is a dare. One that will result in a woman getting upset over “Nothing” and will end with the word “Fine”.
Go Ahead (Neutral Expression) - This means “I give up” or “do what you want because I don’t care” You will get a “Raised Eyebrow Go Ahead” in just a few minutes, followed by “Nothing” and “Fine” and she will talk to you in about “Five Minutes” when she cools off.
Loud Sigh - This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A “Loud Sigh” means she thinks you are an idiot at that moment, and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over “Nothing”.
Soft Sigh - Again, not a word, but a non-verbal statement. “Soft Sighs” mean that she is content. Your best bet is to not move or breathe, and she will stay content.
That’s Okay - This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can make to a man. “That’s Okay” means that she wants to think long and hard before paying you back for whatever it is that you have done. “That’s Okay” is often used with the word “Fine” and in conjunction with a “Raised Eyebrow”.
Please Do - This is not a statement, it is an offer. A woman is giving you the chance to come up with whatever excuse or reason you have for doing whatever it is that you have done. You have a fair chance with the truth, so be careful and you shouldn’t get a “That’s Okay”.
Thanks - A woman is thanking you. Do not faint. Just say you’re welcome.
Thanks A Lot - This is much different from “Thanks.” A woman will say, “Thanks A Lot” when she is really ticked off at you. It signifies that you have offended her in some callous way, and will be followed by the “Loud Sigh.” Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the “Loud Sigh,” as she will only tell you “Nothing”.

Getting Lost in Birmingham

You gotta learn to step out in faith and walk on water.

Endurance Builds Character

Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Why?

In my novels, the main characters face great conflict, turmoil, uncertainty, and suffering. Some die. So who am I to say God shouldn’t write such things into his story, including my part? God created all the characters in his story. He loves a great story, and he has made us to love it. Before we fault him for the plot twists we don’t like, we should remember that Jesus has written this story in his own blood. -Randy Alcorn