I am NOT a machine!

Today's Blog I just want to Thank God!

I learned sign language because I wanted to be a real friend to deaf people.  I did NOT learn sign language so I could be an interpreter.  But since I am hearing, it comes with the knowledge of signing.  I would be very content just sitting next to them, among them, being part of them rather than standing up front.....yet God let me know many years ago, that HE taught me sign languge  and that there were MANY deaf people who did not know about Jesus dying for them.  Go ye into all the world....and for me, it was into the Deaf world.   I was THRILLED to be in the deaf world, so I am VERY comfortable around deaf people, yet I surrender my "INTERPRETING" to Him regularly. 

One thing we "learn" as Interpreters is to process what is being said but not to retain it, so when the deaf person asks us a question, we can honestly say we do not know, and they learn to direct their questions to the doctor, instructor, etc and not bombard us with questions when we get out of the situation.  We are trained to be "machines" if you will.  We are not to become bonded or personally attached to our "Deaf clients" lest they take advantage of our interpreting skills. We are trained to process everything correctly, but not to retain it.

When God suggested I interpret in Church, I told him basically NO because it was my Church service too!  Sunday was my worship day and I did not want to be a machine and then when the day was over.....my heart was empty.   He just quietly reminded me that HE is the one who taught me.  I asked God if He would allow me to take the sermon to heart myself, even though, I was interpreting.  I did not want to be a machine on Sunday.  I needed and WANTED to worship my Lord Jesus on the day HE has asked us to worship Him.  

I am here to testify that GOD indeed answered that prayer.  I am so thankful that even though I am listening to english and signing in ASL.....I am not a machine on Sunday.   The precious Holy Spirit grips my heart, moves deeply within me just as if I was sitting in the pew.   I am ever so Thankful for this gift the Lord has graciously bestowed upon me.

The only thing I have not figured out yet, is HOW do I go forward and kneel at the altar when I need to interpret.  That happened this morning.   I told God that my heart is at the Altar, and He hugged me with HIS approval.  Faithful to the task before me, yet Faithful to the Holy Spirit within.   I am every grateful that I am not an Interpreting machine on Sundays!

Thank you Lord Jesus!!

Protection on the Road Today

1.    We went for a motorcyle ride today with another couple.  Our bike was in the lead.  Three lanes of traffic was slowing down for a red light when the driver in the RIGHT lane decided she needed to make a left turn NOW....so without warning she came in front of us and tried to continue to get into the left turn lane, but it was already occupied.  She ended up straddling the line between our lane and the turn lane, which gave Ken a little space to keep the bike up and manuever into it safely.  It was quite the move the lady made - totally BLIND to anyone else on the road!

After Ken knew we were safe, he said something like:  "Whew, I can feel my heart!"

So thankful that even though we were in the lead of bikes, we were not in total leadership.  Our Lord was watching over us today and protected all of us in this incident.

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2.  On this same day, Hubby was again in the lead......when a raccoon decided to meander across the road.  (What is he doing out in the day time?)  Ken knew we could hit it and be safe, but we were pulling a trailer and Ken did not know how the trailer would react.  So put on the braces (not extra hard) in hopes the raccoon would hurry up and get out of the way.  MEANWHILE there was a SEMI TRUCK near the back of the last bike behind us.   Of course they have a harder time to slow down.   Ken was watching out his mirror to gage his speed for the safety of all......but there hearts were now beating to have this semi truck breathing down their necks.   The raccoon made it across the road and we continued......but once again we had our hands up in the air thanking GOD for his watchful care over us.

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3.  AS we entered Sebring, the bikes went their various ways towards home.   One couple normally go down MANATEE road, but the police were there.  A sink hole had opened up in the middle of the street so they were directing travel ON A SAND ROAD thru the orange grove.   Bikes do NOT do well on sand.   Yes one of them went down in the sand.   A police officer lifted the bike off of him and he is ok, but will be sore.  Trust all truly is well.  He was going very slow, but the bike did lay on him.   When he texted me about it, he was sure to give Thanks to God that the police were protecting them from falling into a sink hole and that he will be fine.  They arrived home safely.

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Even though there is ALWAYS danger on the roads, and especially when you are on a motorcycle.  Cars just do not watch out for you.   But we TOTALLY ENJOY riding bikes.  The weather was wonderful.  The company was enjoyable....and it was a GREAT day.