God's heart for the broken....

(this blog goes with my face book posts, so you'll have to look at those for this to make since....from 11-28-12 through 11-30-12)

Good Morning everyone!!!! You ready for the answer?! Sorry for the delay....

I know ALL of you have been waiting “patiently” in anticipation!! ;) I know I would have been the same way, asking every 5 min...I'm def not great at waiting, especially for a wedding invitation! Soooooo.....the answer is JESUS....HE is my HUSBAND, while I'm single and after I get married. He has PURSUED ME all my life....that's why I said I've known this guy for most of my life (more like “knew of Him” for most my life). We became best friends 10 years ago July 4^th, 2002 after a Home Fellowship group (that's for another story day). This crazy idea of the engagement was to share characteristics of Christ to look for in a spouse....this is my story that God wanted me to share with you in the most bizarre way, but not strange to God since He loves to use us in new ways so we don't get bored or overlook something He wants to reveal to us, and to further His kingdom and bring glory to Him, so this is not about me getting attention; it's about bringing attention to HIM and HIM ALONE :) SO PLEASE READ THIS WITH THE MIND AND HEART OF CHRIST AND BE READY TO BE BLOWN AWAY (not b/c i'm writing this, but b/c the Holy Spirit is using me in my weakness to speak life and truth to everyone who will read this; thanks for your patience and understanding in advance!!! :) (this whole thing is vulnerable for me, so please don't post any negative comments or “advise” about this crazy thing I did...you can email me anything that you have questions or concerns and I will address those the best I can when I have a chance; thanks for respecting that; I had to be obedient to Christ, not to ppl; that is my priority). Here it goes ....

The past months, since May this year, when I started having severe panic attacks, depression, and mood swings, God brought me back to NC from ID. I was mad for a long time that I couldn't “make it” on my own there. God has shown me that He brought me back here for a purpose.... 1) to meet new ppl that I would need to know closely in order to partner with in prayer no matter where life takes us all....2) to get healing (physically and spiritually by ppl who happened to be here by old and new friends)....3) to be challenged to try new things, to laugh and be silly and a kid again (which has just happened the past couple weeks.....soooo needed that; not sure why it didn't come sooner, but God's timing is perfect!)... 4) to be in these 3 different churches that i'm in.... 5) and so much more!! God allowed me to fail, to go through the worst suffering of my life from mid-May through about mid-October. He knew that if He didn't bring me down to my lowest point ever, He might lose me (not from salvation, but from the BEST He had for me). God is sooooo gracious and merciful and FULL of wisdom!!!!

So, long story short, He has FREED me and given me such a CONFIDENCE in Him, a LOVE for Him and others, a HUNGER for His Word and PRAYER, and SO MUCH MORE than I have ever experienced the past 10 years....and He has shown me that EVERY step and season I went through and EVERY friend and family member He put in my life, helped in shaping me for this season in life, so EVERYONE OF YOU MADE A HUGE IMPACT AND I AM SOOOOO GRATEFUL AND BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!!!! I'm sorry to have done it in this way (although i'm not sorry; you can take it up with God; I have no regrets), but I know God was in it!!! He was the One who convinced me in the 1^st place!!! I first told Him “no way Lord; choose someone else to do that.” He said, " I will give you the words to say and the wisdom and the strength to go through with it and that if anyone comes against you about it and says you were wrong to do it this way, I will redeem you and comfort you, so go for it My daughter; don't listen to the lies of satan that you are not worthy or that you are not strong enough, etc. YOU ARE SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE LIES HAVE NO HOLD ON YOU; I AM YOUR HUSBAND AND WILL PROTECT YOU FROM WHAT PPL MIGHT SAY B/C OF THIS!!!" :)

All that to say, this was to get many ppl's attention, and it did, in order to share this story and to say, “DO NOT SETTLE FOR WHO YOU MARRY....DO NOT SETTLE FOR WHOEVER YOU THINK YOU DESERVE....DO NOT SETTLE FOR SOMEONE WHO ONLY MEETS “PART” OF YOUR CRITERIA....DO NOT SETTLE FOR SOMEONE WHO WOULD HAVE YOU COMPROMISE....DO NOT SETTLE FOR THE FIRST “GOOD PERSON” WHO COMES ALONG.....DO NOT SETTLE FOR A MANIPULATOR....DO NOT SETTLE, DO NOT SETTLE, DO NOT SETTLE....I have soooo much more for you that is far beyond ANYTHING you could ever fathom in your mind!!! Wait on Me!!! ” ~~ Jesus

Girls, pray for patience in the waiting and allow the guys to pursue YOU and don't use your bodies to “real (?sp) them in”. Guys, pray for boldness to go out there and pursue who God has told you to pursue and who you DESIRE to pursue; treat every girl as you would treat your sister and then when you meet your future wife, you will not have offered yourself in the wrong way to the wrong girl, saving both you, your wife, and the other girl (this goes for the girls too). Be pure and above reproach; this time of waiting counts towards your future and EVERYTHING you do and say now, and what you allow your eyes to see and ears to hear WILL affect your heart and your future relationships/marriage!!! If you have already made mistakes, guess what? WE ALL HAVE MADE MISTAKES!!! (well Jesus hasn't, but you know what I mean). WE ARE REDEEMED  FORGIVEN, AND HEALED and we don't have to think we're spoiled goods b/c we are NEW in Christ Jesus, and if someone does not accept you b/c of this...they are NOT the one...you'd be settling.

I'm going to post a starting list of things to look for in a spouse, both for girls and guys to answer if they desire....don't feel obligated; it's an exercise for us all to encourage each other and prepare each other for that future partner who will challenge and be our best friend next to Christ, and who we will meet in God's timing...be excited!!!! :) Amen!! I love you all and hope this does not offend or make you made, but if it does, I can't do much about that; that's between you and God....take it up with Him ;) Not saying that to be harsh or say I don't care about your opinion, but to say that God told me to do this and to not listen to ridicule, but to brush it off, pray for that person, and move on in His plans :) Blessings on your day and your future!!! Hope this has helped each of you, even those who are already married, but may have a daughter or son who needs to read this....feel free to print it out or email it to whoever; it's meant to be passed on and used for God's glory!!! No credit needed to me....it's all GOD....to HIM be all glory, honor, and praise!!!! :) From God and your sister in Christ.....Love, Joy, Peace, Hope, Faith....

Thanksgiving

this is long, but so worth reading! :) this is a story from my friend jeannette from 2 yrs ago about her friend overseas....

okay, so this is a little more from her e-mail, i thought this part was neat about thanksgiving. It motivates me to approach God with thanksgiving even if i can't see a way. I should thank him because I know he will be faithful. :) --jeannette.

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...I now started praying and asking God more seriously to open this door for me to travel as I could not seem to keep it away despite how hard I tried. I started applying the word I was hearing. I realized that thanksgiving and praise were things I needed to work on. When God provided a car for me last year, one instruction He gave me was give thanks for all things…this was before I saw the car. So I figured that God probably has this worked out already but I needed to connect with it all through praise and thanksgiving. This was heavily impressed on my heart that one day I decided to share with the International Christian Fellowship at Uconn about what God was doing and thanking God ahead of time for making a way for me even though I do not know how He was going to do it. So on a Friday in July I stood up and shared with them about a big issue I was believing God for (could not tell them the details) and wanted to thank God ahead of time for it. The following week just before fellowship started one of the ladies at the fellowship she was in the congregation the week before when I shared about my expectation. She pulled out an envelop from her bag and pointed it to me saying” here have this the Lord says I should give it to you, it is for your ticket home, I know it may not be enough but at least it will help, take” I was speechless. Words ceased. I tried to explain to her that actually it was not a money issue but something bigger, she was already walking away. She did not really want to know all she wanted was to deliver the money to me. I walked to my car still speechless. After fellowship I got into my room opened the envelop and counted the money - $2,000! I let out my first long laughter, a practice that I will repeat many more times in this journey. I was not laughing at God but out of excitement and bewilderment. I smiled and I shook my head I was like wow God so how? I mean how? Money for ticket but no visa how come? I got no response...

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2nd email; followup from the above.....

Just in case you were curious how the story ended~she's going to travel home :) --jeannette

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... I was now even more determined to trust God and see Him answer this prayer. I told Him several times Lord I trust you and if nobody stands with me, I trust you regardless on this issue. “I will trust you even when everyone says there is no need to. I will trust you in a case that seems hopeless; because that is when it is most logical to trust you. This is when it makes sense to trust you.

My prayer and talk changed. I started asking many more questions why would God bring me this far just for fun? Why would He not answer this request? Yes I have said that I have nothing to loose if the Lord did not open this door but I realized I had something to loose. I informed God that I will loose an experience with Him, I will loose another opportunity to see Him display His power magnificently in my life. I began to rehearse the many miracles He has brought me through many of them happened at the 11^th hr:

- My admission into secondary school at the last minute the year I had lost hope of going to sec school

- His deliverance and intervention at the last minute when I needed to get my results for my youth service

- The miracles he wrought regarding my trip to the US

- My last minute admission in CCSU

- My free Honda accord

- etc

...

Today, I woke with this song on my lips. God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me. He will be my guide walk me closely to His side with love and faith for each new day He will make a way. He will make a way...

So how come all the words the Lord has spoken to me starting from last year, I have kept aside and have been waiting to hear from a mere man? How come the words the Lord has spoken are not enough? If I wanted to use the words from the embassy as confirmation of God leading that would have been a different thing altogether. No I was banking on their word. Infact in error in my email to Osweileir I wrote, my coming depends on what you say, if you say I should come I will”. Thank God he did not reply. God cannot answer prayers that are contrary to His work. I wanted an assurance from man God made sure I did not get it. All I have to lean on now is what He has said. Faith indeed remains a substance of things hoped for…the evidence of things not seen!

I feel I am standing between the red sea and something else huge may be Pharaoh and his men? and that the decision I make now either way will have an impact on my life as long as live. Should I take the high mountain and advance to the red sea and watch God perform a miracle I have never experienced before or should I back off and return? It appears I am in a tight place. Turning from the red sea and returning appears to be the easy way out, the “safe thing to do” but how will I live with all those clear words of assurance I have received through prophecy? What story will I tell for the rest of my life? That God spoke all these words and assurances, pretty much gave me a check and I never cashed it? Too many things have happened, too many words spoken that I refuse to believe it is all coincidence. Faith after all remains a choice!

LOTS has happened since my last post.....

There was one week, Feb 2nd-9th that was one of the worst weeks I've had in my life, even harder than moving across the country. I won't go into detail, but lets just say I was really questioning why I was following Jesus...hadn't done that in quite a while. I've been following Christ for almost nine years, and don't regret that decision, but there's certain situations that God may allow in life to test that. Anyway, during that week, I had to go through a huge heart check. Then things turned around so fast...God works FAST! Within less than a week, I had a job and a place to call my own (my 1st one-bedroom apartment)! So, let me fill you in a bit on how this came about...

On Feb 1st, I had an interview for a job I hadn't even applied for! I had applied for a grocery store that these two brothers also own (two locally owned grocery stores), but they didn't have anything available...however, they DID have a position available for the restaurant that they co-own! NEVER in my life would I have applied for a waitress position, considering I'm not the most coordinated person in the world. But they really wanted me to give it a try, so I told them I would. So, my 1st night on Feb 4th was apparently one of the busiest nights they've ever had; talk about initiation! CRAZY night and I almost walked out...in fact I was going to tell them that I wasn't coming back the next day even though they already had me scheduled for that day, but they asked if I would come back and then if I still didn't like it, I could quit. The only time I've ever quit a job is when God led me to go back to school, so you know it was bad for me to want to do that. I went back the next day, and then a couple days later, and it's kept getting better and better and now I love it! I'm so excited and thankful that God knows us better than we know ourselves!! :) I'm still there and hope to be there for a long time.

Now, to the housing situation...when I first moved here, I moved in with a couple, the only couple I knew. It's been a huge blessing, getting to settle into an area I didn't know anyone else in, having moved away from everyone I knew, across the country, everything I own packed in my car, driving halfway by myself, when the furthest I had ever gone was about 6 hrs to East Carolina. Also, starting back to college full-time, when I hadn't been in school full-time since 2000. So, it's been great getting to stay there, but I knew it wouldn't be forever b/c I knew God would call me to be on my own; I didn't know it at the time I moved there that it would really be me in a one bedroom, but that was confirmed over and over, starting at the end of last semester. At 1st I was thinking I'd move out in May this year, but then it was March, but God wanted to give me an amazing Birthday present!!

On Feb 9th, I called one of the many numbers I had been calling to get a headway on the move...I had called the number the week before, when I was having a really hard week and they said they had people lined up and to call back the next week in case something opened up. So, I did and an apt was set up. I take a look at the 1st room, a basement room that hardly had any light coming in the windows; very dreary. I'm thinking, "No way." He said it was actually the apt on the 2nd floor that was available, but he forgot the key. So, I came back that afternoon, and after looking at it, I was definitely more interested. Rachel was a huge help in convincing me that it was a definite possibility. So, we step outside and he asked when I could move in! I hear myself saying, "In a couple days." He said it was too small a place for the people living there, so they wanted out within a couple days. I found myself in the office, signing papers the very next day! I picked up my key on Wednesday, Feb 16th. Packed everything in a couple days and moved everything this past Sunday Feb 20th! Not only that, but a friends from church and school have been so generous, it blows me away....I have a whole bed-set with dresser, headboard, nightstand...plus couch, desk, and chair for living room...plus microwave, coffee maker, and most of my other kitchen necessities!! :) Words can't begin to express my gratitude!!

Oh, if that isn't enough, I just switched my license plates over to Idaho, and will be switching my drivers license over to Idaho as soon as study the book to take the written test; it's a bummer I have to re-take that, but at least I don't have to do the driver's test again. Did you know that cows get the right away here, and if you hit one, YOU are responsible?! What's this world coming to? heehee Oh, well. So....I'll be here for awhile, and very excited that God changed my heart on that; I really was planning on moving back to NC in May 2012 after graduation, but God's not done with me here :)

More exciting news: I'll be starting to volunteer at the Pregnancy Crisis Center, starting next week, every Thursday, and more often in the future after school. There's a lot of exciting stuff happening within the college; many new students signing up to come next year, even ones from other parts of the world! Such a blessing having a church family here too :)

Blessings to you all, especially those of you who actually made it to the end of my typically long updates ;) Each one of you is such a blessing and praying for you; you're all so special to me and a pray that you all are doing well. If there's anything specific I can be praying for you, please let me know.

Praises:

1) God's amazing grace, patience, perfect timing, and so much more!!

2) Apartment; great location; near school, church, work, etc. and right around the corner from friends from church.

3) Job; the people I get to work with, the customers who come in; the understanding managers; loving it!

4) Pregnancy Crisis Center; having the opportunity to volunteer there :)

5) Church; such sweet families; such a blessing!

6) School; getting to learn more about the Lord and His blessings to us than I ever imagined; being challenged in what I believe and why!! Such amazing people to teach us and fellow students to learn with!!

7) Family and friends who support me 100% :)

8) Being content with where God has me and not dreading it anymore.

Prayer Requests:

1) Catching up on school work, with all that's going on.

2) Ministry among the people God brings along the way.

In His Love,

Cathy

"He who has more truth, should also have more grace." ~ Gordon Olson

Journeying with my Lord and Savior

It's hard to know where to start with this new life that the Lord has blessed me with...God is so AMAZING; can't even begin to tell you how much, but I'll try... :-)

As I'm currently listening to a song by Leeland called "Yes You Have," they're singing "You've stolen my heart..." That's how I feel right now...God's stolen my heart...so AWESOME!!

It was so refreshing going home over Christmas break. I've been in Twin Falls, ID since August last year. It's been the hardest thing I've ever done. I left my whole family and group of friends, some of which I've known since I was nine years old (that is, my friends; my family I've known since birth heehee). Everything I've ever known was left there in NC. I know I was suppose to move here, but I didn't really know why. I mean, I've been going to college, after having been out for 10 years! I had accepted that as much as possible, and was enduring getting through the semester, but that was about it. I wasn't feeling settled and was just wanted to finish, at the same time, wondering if I should just give up and go back home to NC (although that would have been hard to, having to start over w/o a job and still w/o a degree). So, either way was hard. It was especially hard after having been home for c-mas. How was I going to endure going back and going for another year and four months?

Don't get me wrong. God has blessed me with a church family here, as well as the two people I knew before moving here, and their family, who have all helped me in getting settled and learning the area, etc. But I still couldn't let go of what I longed for back home...familiar people who I had grown up with.

So, I come back here to Idaho, with an ache in my heart for home. Then, Sunday morning on January 9th, the Holy Spirit changed all that within me. I had gotten up early, to spend time with the Lord before the service, which I hadn't really done for awhile, sadly to say. Anyway, I'm talking with God and He's telling me something important (not audibly, but through His Word, etc.). I'm crying out to God and He simply says, "Praise Me, no matter what. No matter the uncertainties about job, apartment to move into, school work, etc. Praise Me. (period). " Seems simple enough, but wasn't something I had been doing. I was laying stuff at His feet, and then going back later, trying to pick it up again for myself to carry or figure out on my own....something I've struggled with for awhile. Finally, I was like, "You're right Lord. You're absolutely right." I started praising Him, despite the uncertainties. He's in CONTROL and His timing is PERFECT!! :-)

My entire perspective and attitude changed. I'm believing that my God is a BIG God and knows what He's doing!! Thank You LORD, for who You are!! The rest of the day was so AMAZING, as if I had just gotten saved. The service at church was rich with His presence; not that it wasn't before, but I was ready this time to receive whatever the Lord had to give. I wasn't going there without already having been fed that morning. Not saying this to boast, but just to relay how much better church is when I spend time with the Lord beforehand. I really felt like I connected with the people there more than I had in the past few months of being there.

My roommates Rachel and her husband Nathanael, and I had lunch together, discussing the new semester and I was much more interested and excited than last semester. Then, we went over to a family's house from church and hung out that evening, discussing various topics, drinking coffee, and had a time of worship together. Was sooo refreshing; hadn't done that in while. Just like Home Fellowship days from NC :-)

Not only that, but then job opportunities started looking more promising. And also, a place to move to as a one bedroom apt to call my own. Those two things are not definite, but more in grasp than before.

There's so much excitement in this new year!! There's more I could expand on, but I better bring this to a close before it becomes another novel...or maybe it's already surpassed that....? Thank you for reading this. God bless you on your journey! Love and miss you all! If you have anything that needs prayer or you have a praise to share, let me know; love hearing from you all! :-) I'll probably only get a blog out at the end or beginning of each semester; too busy with school work to do much more than that. Plus you probably don't have time to read much more than that... hahaha

Praise: God's goodness no matter what the circumstances; a chance to journey WITH HIM!! :-)

Prayer requests:

1) Job -- part-time, about 10 hrs a week

2) One bed room apt at reasonable cost

3) School work

4) Especially to fall more in love with Jesus!

Courses for Spring Semester 2011:

1) Greek 2

2) American Education and Government

3) College Algebra 2

4) Language and Society (not an English class, btw; this is going to be one of my favorites) :-)

5) Pentateuch (1st 5 books of the OT)

6) Martial Arts, self defense class

In His Amazing Love,

Cathy

Big day tomorrow....

Wow, can't believe I'm starting classes tomorrow! Woot, woot! I'm excited to learn new things; going to be a full load, but going to be good!! :-) Let's see...taking the following classes....

Greek

Apologetics

Music Theory

Piano Lessons

American Gov't.

Math

Praises: 1) Found a good church fellowship here; such a blessing! 2) The Davis family has helped me so much! God is GOOD!!! :-)

Prayer requests: 1) To be hired for a job soon, 2) to keep up with classes, 3) for the people running the school; they have a lot of work to do for sure; they're doing amazing!

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

In His love,

~Cathy

PS. will hopefully get some pics up soon....

First Week In Idaho

Adventurous? Try moving across the United States, to go to college when you haven't studied in 10 years, in a town where all the roads are being torn up....to replace the water lines b/c there's too much arsenic in the water, and have to get yourself around to get a job within less than 2 weeks.

Thank you mom and dad for the gps (it just doesn't know that's there construction).

I live with a young married couple who the husband reads the whole Harry Potter series in less than 2 weeks and the ballerina wife does home repairs as a hobby (she wants a set of socket wrenches for c-mas). They tell me it'll probably snow in September. And being from NC, I've never owned a heavy coat in my life (that's what I'll be requesting for c-mas, but please send before c-mas so I don't freeze). I am now accepting regular monthly donations b/c I think I'm one of about 20 believers in the area and my neighbors are Nepali; therefore I am claiming foreign missionary status. Please make checks payable to "Cathy Welch" with "suffering for the Lord" on the memo line.

Please check back frequently for further updates. Love you all. Miss you lots.

Cathy

PS. I am pleased to report that they do understand what a real cup of coffee is. If you ask for cream, they'll go milk Bessie. I haven't gotten sick yet. I believe this is a positive sign. Maybe life isn't so bad after-all.

**for those of you who have read this; there's different prayer requests and praises that i've added at the end.... :-)

CRAZY God story!! Here's how I came to the decision to move to Idaho...

This is the short version :-) I've been praying for direction for a long time...

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” ~ Matthew 7:7-8

On Wednesday, July 21^st, I was praying, frustrated with researching what my next step might be. I was asking the Lord for something so clear, beyond my imagination, and would stretch my faith. Right then, I got a phone call from my friend Rachel. She was asking if I'd consider moving to Idaho, and going to Aletheia Christian College http://www.aletheiachristian.com/ I immediately knew that this was God's direction and answer to my prayer!

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” ~ Isaiah30:21

As soon as I hung up, I started feeling overwhelmed, wondering if I was making the biggest mistake of my life, but then I started praying and I heard a song with the lyrics, “I won't abandon you.” Not only that, but I opened the Bible and the first verse I see...

“'Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.” ~ Acts 7:3

Okay, God...I get it :-) Even though I went up and down about the decision, by the end of the day, through many confirmations with people praying over me and reading all the same verses the Lord had given me earlier, I knew by the end of the day, that I was moving to Idaho.

So, the date was set: August 19^th. I'm very excited about this college and having the opportunity to serve along my good friends Rachel and Nathanael Davis.

The Lord has blessed me with each of you dear friends and family, and I thank each one of you for speaking life over me, for your prayers, love, encouragement, support, etc.!! I'm going to miss you all TONS and will be praying for you. The Lord desires to give you more than you could ever imagine!!! Seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

In Christ's amazing love,

Cathy Welch

cathywelch@hotmail.com

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.” ~ M. Scott Peck

Praise Reports:

1. Actually survived the trip here to Idaho; wow! whoever said driving cross country was fun...? hmm....maybe it's different if it's a joy trip and not a big move like this; thankfully my friend Rachel was able to ride with me from Nebraska to here; otherwise I might have turned around :-)

2. The family here is very welcoming and have helped me a lot!!

3. Found a church family nearby :-)

Prayer Requests:

1. To not neglect spending time with the Lord among all the business.

2. For spiritual, physical, and emotional strength to keep up with school, work (once I get it) and being a light to people here in Idaho and the surrounding areas.

3. A job for me there to pay for rent and schooling, etc; will be looking for one when I arrive in Idaho. School starts September 7^th. God's in control, so I'm excited for this new journey!! :-)