Keep Liz in Prayer

Liz is fine but feels ill.

If this is how you found out anything was up, don't worry.

The doctor is fairly sure that she is fighting a cold
and the virus presented itself with a fainting spell.
Just a desperate need to be horizontal and a dizziness.
Nothing seems to point to anything wrong with the baby.
They checked her blood pressure and took a blood sample just to be sure.

AND children prayed for her during the end of the service!

Jesus is on the throne,

David

PS NO co-payment for urgent care on a Sunday!

Subscribe and get a notice when we update!

There's alot of noise in the digital world.
We wantted to invite people subscribe to the blog through Bloglines.

This way you don't have to click all around the internet
to check on your different blogs that interest you.
But also you won't miss out when an update comes out.
You will be notified when any blog you subscribe to has been updated.
Then you can come around and read about what is going on in Scotland.

Check it out.
(There is no relationship between us and this blogger subscription service, it just works)

A Note from Elizabeth

Hi. It's Elizabeth here. A very happy New Year to all.
Certainly a roller-coaster of 8 and a half months that we've had on British soil! So grateful to be living near family, yet definitely experiencing the strangeness of a different place, and finding it hard that we don't know anyone well- yet - lots of culture shock to be had all round. The boys are adjusting keenly, finding friends and getting into life. We're praying for a house, preferably before the new baby arrives, but we trust in God's timing.... as much as we can! When we're not trusting, we're worrying! But I know to keep fast to the mission ahead, even if that's just taking it a day at a time and learning about what God wants for this town - or even for this nation.

The calendar is filling up - I have this incredible sense of the speed of life. Little chance to pause for breath. I am trying to clear and tidy after a busy (and fun-filled) Christmas, but this year is not giving me much of a run up, it is flooding in from all sides. Please pray that I can prioritize and not do meaningless tasks that God would rather I left by ......the .........wayside.....

Goodness, I'm having difficulty writing this.....Are you bored of reading this?

I really feel that I've been writing for the sake of an entry, rather than for the sake of those I know and love and for the sake of staying in touch with people I care deeply about. I've been so busy with house and children and family and a weary, sick pregnancy and numerous ministry opportunities, that I'm glad to have left the blog updates up to David. But I had wanted my first entry to be dynamic and encouraging about all that God is doing with the Fraser family's mission to Scotland.

The truth is, I need your prayers as we enter 2008. I am low in this cold wet town. The people we know are warm and welcoming but I am tired of not having a proper place to call home - a nest to feather, as it were.

I'm also tired of leaning on my family for support and advice because, let's face it, it's all new to me too and friends do not abound - solid, trusting relationships take time.

Mostly, I'm tired of misunderstanding my role in this life, and wanting to do it all, but only having the energy (at 5months pregnant) to manage the basics. One minute I am elated and joyful and throwing myself into a new season with the enthusiasm that only God gives. The next I am exhausted, fearful and withdrawing into a tight ball of self preservation, wishing for an easier way, and forcefully making time to call my own.

Please, please pray for balance and peace for me. In ministry, I have heard that one needs boundaries while still being available to people who may show up on your doorstep. Well, when the town is literally on our doorstep, I find it difficult to aptly judge what to say Yes and No to, and it's wearing me out!!! We have some kind of meeting or ministry event going on every night this week. Crazy.

So now I've written that, I'm not in denial any more!! :) Thanks for listening. Please bring it before the Lord if you think of us and have the time.

We miss everyone a lot. We miss California. We still know that we took the path God had for us. Please remember us, and please keep us posted on what is happening with you. We're blessed to have you as friends - thank you for your support.
Lots of love, In Christ. xxxx

(DF) PS we would love comments on these blogs and check all the time.

New Year

Sorry for getting distracted and failing to give you more information about our work here.

As the earth rounds the sun, and we tilt back toward the sun
the days are getting longer! It was even warmer on Sunday!

This is not the main focus of my day, but it has been the biggest distraction.
Norway's got it real hard and I am finished moaning about it.

People serve in Afganistan, Iraq, Sudan, Alaska for crying out loud!

~~~

The ministry:
Acts 2:42
And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

• The Gospel is taught weekly
• More and more people are staying around for tea and biscuits and making plans together
  
• Folks are gathering in each other's homes;
  others are planning a meal together at the church to just mix and chat on an off night
• We are praying corporately, weekly.

A 21st Century expression of the Body of Christ!

~~~

We recently had the first Deacons meeting in two and a half years.
There will be a new selection of deacons/elders for the first time in a decade!

Churches in the Scottish Baptist Union are very 'flat' organizations.
When there is direction and focus, the people do the work of the ministry.
There is a suspicion of a hierarchical eldership/presbytery born of history's past abuses.

In this church there is the concept of congregational leadership. In practice however, there are only votes for electing deacons, spending large sums of money, and 2/3 vote for hiring/firing the pastor :|

So far the first church meeting has been difficult as about five people talked the issue of funding a newspaper add to DEATH! So many things to discuss, preempted by a petty accounting line-item. At least they are committed to being good stewards of God's funds. And we are poor right now so every penny counts.

The good news is that church meetings only happen quarterly and the ministers get lots of work done in between without asking permission for every decision. The church meeting is a good accountability measure and we trust that Jesus is the head of this church, guiding us, however we organize the government of it.

~~~

David was invited to write an article for a local paper at the end of January
He has been asked to speak at a regional Youth camp on the subject of 'Friends and Heroes' at the beginning of February.
He will also be preaching at a community Easter service the day after Palm Sunday.

~~~

This Sunday we will meet in out home for tea with several church leaders in Alva to discuss how we can reach out to our community.

~~~

PLEASE PRAY FOR US OFTEN
ANYWHERE PRAYER HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE

for time devoted to the personal relationship with God
For family needs met (Spiritual, emotional, physical, financial)
for priorities in ministry and not just busy-ness
for focus on Prayer and Preaching of the word
for a vision of the ministry to the community


This is our life being lived out on behalf of the Lord.
I pray we can hear from Him and serve the true calling of God.

It is hard.
It costs.
Time. Energy. Other opportunities.

We go through this constant revision of priorities
resolving conflicts between family time and ministry concerns
Praying, Preaching and Doing
Wanting to make the most of every moment.
Trying to communicate with you our missionary support

Your role in this work is crucial.
Please don't forget us.
You participate as you PRAY and encourage us.

In His service,
The Frasers