Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it. -erwin lutzer
Please note the above quote is exactly how I feel. You either like it or you don't, but when it comes to mine and my families life, your opinion really doesn't count. That is my rant and now I will move on.
I would like to really talk about the last part of what Erwin Lutzer says "Better to have taken some risks and lost then to have done nothing and succeeded at it."
As the days go on the more that sentence makes sense to me. I'm at the point in my life where waiting is no longer an option!!! Why are we waiting for the world to fix itself? If we don't get out of our comfortable lil seats (oh yes you) and start making change, then change is never going to happen.
Failure you may say. Meh. Atleast you failed trying. Atleast you can say you took the risk, it's probably more than most people can say.
Maybe you don't know where to start. Well everyone had to start somewhere, it doesnt mean they knew where they were starting either, but God led the way. It's okay to follow someone else's lead. It's okay to partner with someone else. You never know where you might be led to.
You may think the problem is too big so why bother. How about instead of looking at the big problem we start with a small problem and go from there.
I could sit here all night and give you a list of things that can changed. While in Haiti, I saw many opportunities for change. In our own communities I see opportunities for change. I see opportunities for HOPE!
I know there are people all over the world who are local and international that could give you opportunities.
We can't just wait anymore. Waiting can take a long time, and no one knows for sure how much time we have.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
A New Beginning
I have been home from Haiti for 4 days and I am already counting the days till I can go back. Though I don't know the dates I know I will be returning this year again. As much as I would love to sit here and write about my trip, I can't you. You would never see the emotions that I feel and the love that I have for that country. What I am here to do is ask for you help.
During my trip to Haiti it became very clear to me that I was called to be a missionary. I had thought about it before the trip and thought I could do that, but after being on a missions trip I KNOW I could that. Am I going to tell you that I am about to pack up my family and move to a different country, No not yet. But if that's where God leads us then, then so be it.
What I am about to tell you is I am becoming a Missionary with Boaz Ministries. http://www.boazministries.com (Check it out!)
As a missionary I will be serving locally and abroad, but it also means that I will be living by Faith. Which means unless I raise my salary, I do not get paid.
So here is where you can help. I am looking for people to donate financially every month to help me do what God is calling me to do. You could donate $20, $50, $100 or any amount that you can give. All amounts will be muchly appreciated.
If you cannot donate financially, that's okay to. Maybe you can commit to praying for me and that I receive the support I need.
Share this blog with everyone know, maybe someone I don't know would love to help me out.
Come Monday morning,my new journey begins and I would love all the support and love that I can get.
If you would like to get more information please leave a comment with your email address, or if you already know me, phone me, text me, facebook message me. You can also send me an email at orlesky1004@hotmail.com
During my trip to Haiti it became very clear to me that I was called to be a missionary. I had thought about it before the trip and thought I could do that, but after being on a missions trip I KNOW I could that. Am I going to tell you that I am about to pack up my family and move to a different country, No not yet. But if that's where God leads us then, then so be it.
What I am about to tell you is I am becoming a Missionary with Boaz Ministries. http://www.boazministries.com (Check it out!)
As a missionary I will be serving locally and abroad, but it also means that I will be living by Faith. Which means unless I raise my salary, I do not get paid.
So here is where you can help. I am looking for people to donate financially every month to help me do what God is calling me to do. You could donate $20, $50, $100 or any amount that you can give. All amounts will be muchly appreciated.
If you cannot donate financially, that's okay to. Maybe you can commit to praying for me and that I receive the support I need.
Share this blog with everyone know, maybe someone I don't know would love to help me out.
Come Monday morning,my new journey begins and I would love all the support and love that I can get.
If you would like to get more information please leave a comment with your email address, or if you already know me, phone me, text me, facebook message me. You can also send me an email at orlesky1004@hotmail.com
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Haiti 2013
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
In just two sleeps, I will be on my way to Haiti for my very first missions trip. At first as the days went on I felt no excitement whatsoever. I felt fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the things I will see. Fear of how I am going to return home. Fear that my heart won't be able to bear what I will feel.
Now I feel excitement! I, YES, I am going to go and experience a new culture, a new way of life and a new understanding of what we as rich people (yes, you! Chances are you are reading this on your computer or phone that YOU own,which makes you rich) need to do to help this hurting world.
God has given me a passion to go and help people. First he started me off with something "simple" some people would say. He sent me to a street where I knew no one, not even the volunteers and had me help these families. He also taught me so many things in the process of going to this street. He taught me that I don't have to go to a different country to help, I literally can drive 20 minutes into the city and find people with all sorts of needs. He also taught me that I am not there just to help them, I am there to share their burdens with them, to become their friend, become their family. And that's exactly what we are now, we are a family.
Fast forward 6 months and I am preparing to head to Haiti. During these past 6 months, I felt alot of pain and anger towards this place I live in. I would look around and become frustrated with people. I would wonder why we have people in our community who need help and yet we go about our everyday lives like there is nothing wrong. There were days where I was ready to pack up my family, sell everything that we had and move to a country that needed help. I would think if people don't want to help, I'll go do it myself. I would read about things that people don't even want to know about because well it's easier to not know or ignore. Then I would become even angerier.Then I would cry. Cry to Lord.
Then one day, I was at a womens event. Did I want to go? No, I was angry, I didn't want to be anywhere except in my room at home reading more and more about this world and how it needs our help. But I felt a tug that morning telling me I had to go. So I went. I wouldn't say the message was for me, but it was definetly something I needed to hear. That day I went to the altar and I prayed "God please. I cannot do this on my own. I am angry, I am in pain. God something needs to be done. I am only one person. But maybe with a few more people we can do a lot more. I want change, I need change."
Well here we are today, a group of ten of us are preparing to head to Haiti to help change the lives of others that we don't even know yet. So here I go again, starting over. Going to place where I know no one,only a few of the team members. But Im going to place where lives will be change. I will make new friends. My heart will probably break into a million little pieces, but that's okay because it will only strengthen me and prepare me to do more in my return home. I believe Haiti is the beginning of something new. A new challenge maybe? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Pray for our team. Pray for the people of Haiti. Pray for changed lives and new beginnings.
In just two sleeps, I will be on my way to Haiti for my very first missions trip. At first as the days went on I felt no excitement whatsoever. I felt fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the things I will see. Fear of how I am going to return home. Fear that my heart won't be able to bear what I will feel.
Now I feel excitement! I, YES, I am going to go and experience a new culture, a new way of life and a new understanding of what we as rich people (yes, you! Chances are you are reading this on your computer or phone that YOU own,which makes you rich) need to do to help this hurting world.
God has given me a passion to go and help people. First he started me off with something "simple" some people would say. He sent me to a street where I knew no one, not even the volunteers and had me help these families. He also taught me so many things in the process of going to this street. He taught me that I don't have to go to a different country to help, I literally can drive 20 minutes into the city and find people with all sorts of needs. He also taught me that I am not there just to help them, I am there to share their burdens with them, to become their friend, become their family. And that's exactly what we are now, we are a family.
Fast forward 6 months and I am preparing to head to Haiti. During these past 6 months, I felt alot of pain and anger towards this place I live in. I would look around and become frustrated with people. I would wonder why we have people in our community who need help and yet we go about our everyday lives like there is nothing wrong. There were days where I was ready to pack up my family, sell everything that we had and move to a country that needed help. I would think if people don't want to help, I'll go do it myself. I would read about things that people don't even want to know about because well it's easier to not know or ignore. Then I would become even angerier.Then I would cry. Cry to Lord.
Then one day, I was at a womens event. Did I want to go? No, I was angry, I didn't want to be anywhere except in my room at home reading more and more about this world and how it needs our help. But I felt a tug that morning telling me I had to go. So I went. I wouldn't say the message was for me, but it was definetly something I needed to hear. That day I went to the altar and I prayed "God please. I cannot do this on my own. I am angry, I am in pain. God something needs to be done. I am only one person. But maybe with a few more people we can do a lot more. I want change, I need change."
Well here we are today, a group of ten of us are preparing to head to Haiti to help change the lives of others that we don't even know yet. So here I go again, starting over. Going to place where I know no one,only a few of the team members. But Im going to place where lives will be change. I will make new friends. My heart will probably break into a million little pieces, but that's okay because it will only strengthen me and prepare me to do more in my return home. I believe Haiti is the beginning of something new. A new challenge maybe? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Pray for our team. Pray for the people of Haiti. Pray for changed lives and new beginnings.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
The last few weeks have been a very personal struggle for me. I recently started a book study called the The Global Orphan Crisis, and it has sparks many emotions for me that it is a bit overwhelming and I must really learn to spend more and more time with the Lord and less time with the things that are making me feel angry.
At the beginning of the year I also read about how people were picking one word that will describe their year and I thought what a great idea, so I thought what will my word be... I thought about this for days waiting for the right word to come and at our first book study session the word came to me.
Grace.
Grace.
Grace.
Literally there are days I will walk around after seeing,hearing or reading something and repeat grace to myself. I was warned before the end of our session that we may have feelings towards people that frustrate us. Well let me tell you,EVERYDAY I ask myself and the Lord so many questions.
Here are a few of the questions that I have been asking the Lord:
From what I hear and read caring for the orphans and the poor is the most talked about thing in the Bible. So Lord why are we as Christians and churches not doing what was clearly so important to you?
Lord, why can't we as people stop thinking about our own problems that really aren't that big of an issue and start thinking of the big issues in the world? Clearly I am just as guilty to this as I am sitting here venting.
Lord, will we ever be happy with what we have? Apparently living where you live with a roof over your head just isn't good enough.
Lord, does this person really belong in my life and is this place you want me to be?
Apparently even just rereading this, it's time for me to really limit my time with social media and clear my head and have some real time with the Lord. He is the only one that can help me, I need his help so desperately so I can help others.
Lord, as I sit here, I pray that you can fill me with your love, so I can share your love with others. Lord you are my leader and I am here to follow you, even if may be in places that make me uncomfortable. You are my protector and my saviour. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
The last few weeks have been a very personal struggle for me. I recently started a book study called the The Global Orphan Crisis, and it has sparks many emotions for me that it is a bit overwhelming and I must really learn to spend more and more time with the Lord and less time with the things that are making me feel angry.
At the beginning of the year I also read about how people were picking one word that will describe their year and I thought what a great idea, so I thought what will my word be... I thought about this for days waiting for the right word to come and at our first book study session the word came to me.
Grace.
Grace.
Grace.
Literally there are days I will walk around after seeing,hearing or reading something and repeat grace to myself. I was warned before the end of our session that we may have feelings towards people that frustrate us. Well let me tell you,EVERYDAY I ask myself and the Lord so many questions.
Here are a few of the questions that I have been asking the Lord:
From what I hear and read caring for the orphans and the poor is the most talked about thing in the Bible. So Lord why are we as Christians and churches not doing what was clearly so important to you?
Lord, why can't we as people stop thinking about our own problems that really aren't that big of an issue and start thinking of the big issues in the world? Clearly I am just as guilty to this as I am sitting here venting.
Lord, will we ever be happy with what we have? Apparently living where you live with a roof over your head just isn't good enough.
Lord, does this person really belong in my life and is this place you want me to be?
Apparently even just rereading this, it's time for me to really limit my time with social media and clear my head and have some real time with the Lord. He is the only one that can help me, I need his help so desperately so I can help others.
Lord, as I sit here, I pray that you can fill me with your love, so I can share your love with others. Lord you are my leader and I am here to follow you, even if may be in places that make me uncomfortable. You are my protector and my saviour. Amen.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
New Year
Well it's 10 days into the New Year and I have been itching to write something, to let it all out but it just never seemed like the right time to do it, but this morning seems like the perfect time. Not sure exactly where I am heading on this post but I'm sure it will come along the day.
So I started the New Year thinking what does God want me to do this year??? At first I thought he wanted me to get in shape...don't judge, I really did think this. And maybe he does but I really don't think he wants that to be my main focus. Of course me becoming a healthier person will help him because he must know how tired I am from the exhaustion of eating chocolate bars, sour candy and chips everyday. YES EVERYDAY! So I came into the New Year telling myself I would work hard at not eating that stuff anymore. I didn't make it a goal because I read on another blog that I was just setting myself up for failure. Ain't that the truth! I shouldn't feel guilty for eating it once in a while and nor will I feel guilty,so YES last night I did eat two sour jolly rancher gummies and a Macaroon Madness from Second Cup. But I went into with full intentions of not feeling guilty and knowing that it was going to be ok, because I know I can do this. If I can go one whole month with eating the same 7 foods, you better believe I can learn to eat healthier. I'm 10 days into eating healthier and I am already feeling better and less tired.
Well this leads me back into what does God want me to do this year. Well I don't have the answer to that, but in the last two days God has been telling me in dfferent ways that he has me waiting, and it's part of his plan. He is working on my patience and teaching me to let him lead the way.
I feel like 2013 is going to be a big year for the Orlesky's. 2012 was a life changing year for Chris and I. We have come to a place in our lives where neither one of us imagined we would be. Last year we were getting plans ready to build a brand new house or buy an even bigger house because ours wasn't big enough. This was literally 6 months ago this was happening. Today we are slowly getting our house ready to sell in the spring so we can downsize.Less is more right?
We are slowly learning that we are different from alot of people. It's not to say that we don't get sucked into wanting all this new stuff cause we do.But we are slowly starting to think before doing. It's sad to think some people live off $2 a day and I sit here get a tinge of jealousy when I see someone go buy the latest I-pad.
God did however gave me some hope the other day that one day I may get to living a simplier life with more of Him and less of other stuff. To hear about a young women take a leap of faith and quit her job and let God take control her life is absolutely amazing. It's not often you hear of that happening in our society, but it did and God is about to amazing things her life.
So I leave with that and continue on with my journey with God. He'll take me where he needs.
So I started the New Year thinking what does God want me to do this year??? At first I thought he wanted me to get in shape...don't judge, I really did think this. And maybe he does but I really don't think he wants that to be my main focus. Of course me becoming a healthier person will help him because he must know how tired I am from the exhaustion of eating chocolate bars, sour candy and chips everyday. YES EVERYDAY! So I came into the New Year telling myself I would work hard at not eating that stuff anymore. I didn't make it a goal because I read on another blog that I was just setting myself up for failure. Ain't that the truth! I shouldn't feel guilty for eating it once in a while and nor will I feel guilty,so YES last night I did eat two sour jolly rancher gummies and a Macaroon Madness from Second Cup. But I went into with full intentions of not feeling guilty and knowing that it was going to be ok, because I know I can do this. If I can go one whole month with eating the same 7 foods, you better believe I can learn to eat healthier. I'm 10 days into eating healthier and I am already feeling better and less tired.
Well this leads me back into what does God want me to do this year. Well I don't have the answer to that, but in the last two days God has been telling me in dfferent ways that he has me waiting, and it's part of his plan. He is working on my patience and teaching me to let him lead the way.
I feel like 2013 is going to be a big year for the Orlesky's. 2012 was a life changing year for Chris and I. We have come to a place in our lives where neither one of us imagined we would be. Last year we were getting plans ready to build a brand new house or buy an even bigger house because ours wasn't big enough. This was literally 6 months ago this was happening. Today we are slowly getting our house ready to sell in the spring so we can downsize.Less is more right?
We are slowly learning that we are different from alot of people. It's not to say that we don't get sucked into wanting all this new stuff cause we do.But we are slowly starting to think before doing. It's sad to think some people live off $2 a day and I sit here get a tinge of jealousy when I see someone go buy the latest I-pad.
God did however gave me some hope the other day that one day I may get to living a simplier life with more of Him and less of other stuff. To hear about a young women take a leap of faith and quit her job and let God take control her life is absolutely amazing. It's not often you hear of that happening in our society, but it did and God is about to amazing things her life.
So I leave with that and continue on with my journey with God. He'll take me where he needs.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Burdens...
I woke up this morning and as soon as I opened my eyes I knew it was going to be a rough day and I had a choice to make, I could allow myself to have a rough day or I could be thankful for the day given to me, it was another fresh start that God allowed me to have. Well I chose to go with the rough day and as I sit here almost time for bed, I realize that it was the wasn't the best choice.
The kids were wild all day, the just seemed louder today than any other day. But were they really?
Their ears didn't want to seem to listen, but was I demanding too much today?
My dog was bugging the crap outta me, or did he just want some love?
Was it really the surroundings that were making me miserable or was it me making it seem that way?
Today I awoke with some burdens that I have just been letting simmer inside of me, and today I also received a message from a friend who wanted to let me know that she was praying for me and my family. At first I couldn't understand why God would ask her to pray for me. But as the day went on I realized how much I need those prayers.
My life how become so incredibly overwhelming. But in some ways it's overwhelmed with excitement, other ways it's overwhelmed with sadness and the other part is frustration. I think to myself how can I overcome some of these feelings? As fast as I thought it, the answer can right to me.
Am I spending enough time with the Lord? Am I using my time wisely or foolishly? Am I talking to the Lord and praying for all these feelings I am having? I guess if I have to ask these questions, I already know the answer.
The kids were wild all day, the just seemed louder today than any other day. But were they really?
Their ears didn't want to seem to listen, but was I demanding too much today?
My dog was bugging the crap outta me, or did he just want some love?
Was it really the surroundings that were making me miserable or was it me making it seem that way?
Today I awoke with some burdens that I have just been letting simmer inside of me, and today I also received a message from a friend who wanted to let me know that she was praying for me and my family. At first I couldn't understand why God would ask her to pray for me. But as the day went on I realized how much I need those prayers.
My life how become so incredibly overwhelming. But in some ways it's overwhelmed with excitement, other ways it's overwhelmed with sadness and the other part is frustration. I think to myself how can I overcome some of these feelings? As fast as I thought it, the answer can right to me.
Am I spending enough time with the Lord? Am I using my time wisely or foolishly? Am I talking to the Lord and praying for all these feelings I am having? I guess if I have to ask these questions, I already know the answer.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
The End has come... or has it?
Well folks my "7" journey ended yesterday and I have to say it ended in a way I never expected. This month I focused releasing my stress and spending lots of prayer time with God. Praying 7 times a day can be difficult at times, especially when you have three wild animals... I mean three children running around the house all day or with you wherever you go. But I tried my best. There were times where my alarm would go off to remind me and I would turn it off and tell myself after I'm doing this I'll pray and then totally forget to do it. I ask myself how I can I forget to spend even as a little as two minutes with God when he never forgets me and is always with me?
While there were certain things that I talk to God about this month, he really showed me he listens. I prayed for one aspect of my life where I need help. Well he sure listened and he sure did put me to the test. One lady I talked to said that she believed that sometimes God has to make sure that what we are praying for is something we really want to change and how else will we ever notice the change if we aren't given opportunities to see for ourselves. Well I noticed and I had a tough time at certain points where I wanted to say "forget it, I can't do this." But I did do it, and it's because He helped me through it.
There was also another burden that has been heavy on heart for a long time that I needed to release and I talked to God about it and He knew it was time. He sent me the right people at the right time to help me through this. He set me free.
So there you have I have completed my journey. I am done. Or am I? Of course I'm not done, my journey on this earth isn't done until I enter the gates of Heaven. I bet you thought the title was meant for my journey that I took. Nope, sorry.
Two days ago, I lost my granny. I was informed in the evening that she was being brought to the hospital. I just felt at that moment that it was time. So I prayed to the Lord to be with her, to take away any pain she may feel. See I know God is our healer, even when sometimes we don't like the outcome. So I told myself to be strong and not to be weak. Time went by and I got a phone call where I fought back every tear so they wouldn't hear my weakness. Then as I lay in bed, the panic started and the fear of death came back. I could see my phone light up and instead of picking it up to hear the news I ignored it and pretended that it just wasn't real. It's been a long time since I've had to deal with the death of a loved one and I'm not quite sure how to handle it. But after taking sometime to read the Bible I came upon this verse that has brought me comfort.
"Blessed are those who mourn,for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4 ESV
So now the question is... has my granny's time come to end. Some may think yes. Me, I think yes her time on this earth has come to end, but she's not gone. I believe that the Lord took her hand, held it tight and led her into the arms of the man she loves and the baby she has longed to see, and they have just begun their life together.
I am sad that she is gone and I know that it's okay to be sad, but I also know she is in a much better place. And the picture that I've made for myself in my head about where she is now even puts a smile on my face.
I Love You Granny xoxoxo
While there were certain things that I talk to God about this month, he really showed me he listens. I prayed for one aspect of my life where I need help. Well he sure listened and he sure did put me to the test. One lady I talked to said that she believed that sometimes God has to make sure that what we are praying for is something we really want to change and how else will we ever notice the change if we aren't given opportunities to see for ourselves. Well I noticed and I had a tough time at certain points where I wanted to say "forget it, I can't do this." But I did do it, and it's because He helped me through it.
There was also another burden that has been heavy on heart for a long time that I needed to release and I talked to God about it and He knew it was time. He sent me the right people at the right time to help me through this. He set me free.
So there you have I have completed my journey. I am done. Or am I? Of course I'm not done, my journey on this earth isn't done until I enter the gates of Heaven. I bet you thought the title was meant for my journey that I took. Nope, sorry.
Two days ago, I lost my granny. I was informed in the evening that she was being brought to the hospital. I just felt at that moment that it was time. So I prayed to the Lord to be with her, to take away any pain she may feel. See I know God is our healer, even when sometimes we don't like the outcome. So I told myself to be strong and not to be weak. Time went by and I got a phone call where I fought back every tear so they wouldn't hear my weakness. Then as I lay in bed, the panic started and the fear of death came back. I could see my phone light up and instead of picking it up to hear the news I ignored it and pretended that it just wasn't real. It's been a long time since I've had to deal with the death of a loved one and I'm not quite sure how to handle it. But after taking sometime to read the Bible I came upon this verse that has brought me comfort.
"Blessed are those who mourn,for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4 ESV
So now the question is... has my granny's time come to end. Some may think yes. Me, I think yes her time on this earth has come to end, but she's not gone. I believe that the Lord took her hand, held it tight and led her into the arms of the man she loves and the baby she has longed to see, and they have just begun their life together.
I am sad that she is gone and I know that it's okay to be sad, but I also know she is in a much better place. And the picture that I've made for myself in my head about where she is now even puts a smile on my face.
I Love You Granny xoxoxo
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