Comments on: Discouraged to Encourage http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/ Boldly Going Where Lots of People Already Are Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:24:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Change, She is A-Coming http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/comment-page-1/#comment-3894 Change, She is A-Coming Mon, 02 May 2011 13:42:56 +0000 http://www.carolinecollie.com/?p=1856#comment-3894 [...] field, as well as overseeing the administration of their ministry support. Opening the honesty box, there have been some times, when being on the mission field has made me feel like I was on an island of my own. Care packages [...] [...] field, as well as overseeing the administration of their ministry support. Opening the honesty box, there have been some times, when being on the mission field has made me feel like I was on an island of my own. Care packages [...]

]]> By: The Long-Awaited Arrival of the Gift Heard Round the World http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/comment-page-1/#comment-1073 The Long-Awaited Arrival of the Gift Heard Round the World Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:24:04 +0000 http://www.carolinecollie.com/?p=1856#comment-1073 [...] see each other at Christmas slash Happy Valentine’s sort of gift. She is great like that. And as I shared with you previously, there was drama surrounding the receiving of said gift, involving a very high customs and duties [...] [...] see each other at Christmas slash Happy Valentine’s sort of gift. She is great like that. And as I shared with you previously, there was drama surrounding the receiving of said gift, involving a very high customs and duties [...]

]]> By: Lorna http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/comment-page-1/#comment-1026 Lorna Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:14:57 +0000 http://www.carolinecollie.com/?p=1856#comment-1026 My heart is very heavy to hear how you are feeling, and have been praying and asking God to give me the perfect words of encouragement for you. How I wish I had a magic wand and could with one little swish, make all the grottyness go away. Alas, I cannot. But I can pray and I have been and will continue to do so. You are such an inspiration to me Caroline, I love how you love God and it inspires me to do better. Hang in ther friend, life does stink at times, but I know that sometimes the manure, makes for a beautiful rose garden. xxx My heart is very heavy to hear how you are feeling, and have been praying and asking God to give me the perfect words of encouragement for you. How I wish I had a magic wand and could with one little swish, make all the grottyness go away. Alas, I cannot. But I can pray and I have been and will continue to do so. You are such an inspiration to me Caroline, I love how you love God and it inspires me to do better. Hang in ther friend, life does stink at times, but I know that sometimes the manure, makes for a beautiful rose garden.
xxx

]]> By: Allison http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/comment-page-1/#comment-1025 Allison Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:46:58 +0000 http://www.carolinecollie.com/?p=1856#comment-1025 Yes, Ma'am. I am right there with you! I have eaten our "home made" leftover pizza for FOUR different meals now. So, much for my "I don't like leftovers" mentality! God is good though I too am trying to focus on the positive. Like, at least Bella has not complained about eating pizza so many times! Yes, Ma’am. I am right there with you! I have eaten our “home made” leftover pizza for FOUR different meals now. So, much for my “I don’t like leftovers” mentality! God is good though I too am trying to focus on the positive. Like, at least Bella has not complained about eating pizza so many times!

]]> By: Deliverance http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/comment-page-1/#comment-1024 Deliverance Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:12:50 +0000 http://www.carolinecollie.com/?p=1856#comment-1024 You sound like the story of my life for the past 2 1/2 years! At least you have the ability to say things in a cheery way. You have been through some huge life changes that can make things more stressful than normal, and when you had to financial strain on top of that, well, sometime you just feel like you can't take anymore. And when I realise that I also realise that God will not put us through more than we can handle. And I also realise that everything that I have been through will make me that much stronger for the next difficult time. I have come to the point at times where I think, "What on EARTH could you have next for me, God, because I seriously don't want any more trials more difficult than this one!!" And then I realise that we all have our health and I think that would be the most difficult thing for me to go through. I think of the hobbits. :) No one thought they could survive such a perilous task, but each step made them more capable for the next step. We were on an incredibly tight budget during our entire stay in Scotland, and it only got worse when we moved here to help my MIL which caused a debt that we are hoping next month, after over 2 years, will finally be paid off. It can feel so desparing at times. And it doesn't really help much to hear, "You'll be fine" even though you really know that God is watching over you, especially when you believe you are making good choices and the choices you made were for others, not yourself. So, I don't really have any encouragement other than, "I understand, hon." :) You sound like the story of my life for the past 2 1/2 years! At least you have the ability to say things in a cheery way.

You have been through some huge life changes that can make things more stressful than normal, and when you had to financial strain on top of that, well, sometime you just feel like you can’t take anymore. And when I realise that I also realise that God will not put us through more than we can handle. And I also realise that everything that I have been through will make me that much stronger for the next difficult time. I have come to the point at times where I think, “What on EARTH could you have next for me, God, because I seriously don’t want any more trials more difficult than this one!!” And then I realise that we all have our health and I think that would be the most difficult thing for me to go through. I think of the hobbits. :) No one thought they could survive such a perilous task, but each step made them more capable for the next step.

We were on an incredibly tight budget during our entire stay in Scotland, and it only got worse when we moved here to help my MIL which caused a debt that we are hoping next month, after over 2 years, will finally be paid off. It can feel so desparing at times. And it doesn’t really help much to hear, “You’ll be fine” even though you really know that God is watching over you, especially when you believe you are making good choices and the choices you made were for others, not yourself.

So, I don’t really have any encouragement other than, “I understand, hon.” :)

]]> By: Annie Beth http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/comment-page-1/#comment-1023 Annie Beth Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:26:38 +0000 http://www.carolinecollie.com/?p=1856#comment-1023 Oh honey. Sometimes life is crappy. Romans 8:22 "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Our world is fallen. And it's good to be reminded of that. David did plenty of complaining. And you know how blessed we have been by your posts- they are all encouraging. Even this one. :) Oh honey. Sometimes life is crappy. Romans 8:22 “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Our world is fallen. And it’s good to be reminded of that. David did plenty of complaining.

And you know how blessed we have been by your posts- they are all encouraging. Even this one. :)

]]> By: Amanda http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/comment-page-1/#comment-1022 Amanda Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:45:10 +0000 http://www.carolinecollie.com/?p=1856#comment-1022 If you weren't real, I'd probably punch you in the face, eastern NC style. :) Seriously, hang in there! And, yes, it's absolutely to be transparent. No one expects perfection. Life is rough sometimes, especially while you are doing the Lord's work. If you weren’t real, I’d probably punch you in the face, eastern NC style. :)

Seriously, hang in there! And, yes, it’s absolutely to be transparent. No one expects perfection. Life is rough sometimes, especially while you are doing the Lord’s work.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/comment-page-1/#comment-1021 Sarah Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:14:16 +0000 http://www.carolinecollie.com/?p=1856#comment-1021 Hey Amazing, Beautiful, and Inspiring Caroline! You are one of the most phenomenal women I know. The way you respond to life's situations and walk out this journey your on with such INCREDIBLE faith, joy, and strength makes me go "how does she do that?! Man, I need to pray and get in my Bible more!" You are such an inspiration and encouragement. I don't think you realise the effect and impact you have on so many people's lives worldwide. The Lord is using you and causing His impact through you to reach the globe (literally). I love you so so so much and I know that you know that God is good and He's got all of this under control. I love you SO dearly and miss you! Sarah xxx Hey Amazing, Beautiful, and Inspiring Caroline!
You are one of the most phenomenal women I know. The way you respond to life’s situations and walk out this journey your on with such INCREDIBLE faith, joy, and strength makes me go “how does she do that?! Man, I need to pray and get in my Bible more!” You are such an inspiration and encouragement. I don’t think you realise the effect and impact you have on so many people’s lives worldwide. The Lord is using you and causing His impact through you to reach the globe (literally).

I love you so so so much and I know that you know that God is good and He’s got all of this under control.

I love you SO dearly and miss you!
Sarah xxx

]]> By: Amber http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/comment-page-1/#comment-1020 Amber Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:53:23 +0000 http://www.carolinecollie.com/?p=1856#comment-1020 Dear Caroline, Thank you for being real. I love reading your blogs and I so appreciate your honesty. As I pray for you and your family I feel lead to encourage you by just simply saying that following Christ comes at a cost and often times our churches and spiritual leaders don't tell us this at the beginning, but the Bible definitely does and you have definitely not skipped over those verses! You and your husband HAVE counted the cost and still chosen to pay the price. YOU ARE BRAVE! You are not only walking in relationship with God, but are in covenant with Him. He calls you FRIEND (so much more than just a servant)! I know you would never boost in your sacrifices so let me just boost for you in closing ;-)...You are part of a very wonderful (yet sadly too small) group of Christ's followers who actually is living out His Word! You and your family are making Christ's Gospel real to people through the way you live your lifes! Thank you. Love and blessings, Amber Dear Caroline,
Thank you for being real. I love reading your blogs and I so appreciate your honesty. As I pray for you and your family I feel lead to encourage you by just simply saying that following Christ comes at a cost and often times our churches and spiritual leaders don’t tell us this at the beginning, but the Bible definitely does and you have definitely not skipped over those verses! You and your husband HAVE counted the cost and still chosen to pay the price. YOU ARE BRAVE! You are not only walking in relationship with God, but are in covenant with Him. He calls you FRIEND (so much more than just a servant)! I know you would never boost in your sacrifices so let me just boost for you in closing ;-) …You are part of a very wonderful (yet sadly too small) group of Christ’s followers who actually is living out His Word! You and your family are making Christ’s Gospel real to people through the way you live your lifes! Thank you. Love and blessings, Amber

]]> By: Dodi http://www.carolinecollie.com/2010/02/discouraged-to-encourage/comment-page-1/#comment-1018 Dodi Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:58:13 +0000 http://www.carolinecollie.com/?p=1856#comment-1018 sorry about the package- that's a real bummer! :( of course you can be real- don't ever be fake! how can we share the highs if we never walked through the lows? i'm all about being real about what's going on... it can be such a relief to get it off your chesticals! it's been a rough season over here too- so we feel ya! sorry about the package- that’s a real bummer! :( of course you can be real- don’t ever be fake! how can we share the highs if we never walked through the lows? i’m all about being real about what’s going on… it can be such a relief to get it off your chesticals! it’s been a rough season over here too- so we feel ya!

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