"It's the Most Reflective Time of the Year"

It’s the most reflective time of the year.  After the busy rush of Christmas everyone seems to slow down for just a minute to exam their lives a little more closely as a one year ends and a new one begins.  Eventually, everyone jumps on the bandwagon of self-improvement making resolutions from losing weight (especially after all those glorious Christmas cookies and holiday feasts!) to reading more, doing something for the community, cussing less (yeah I said it, I know there are some of you out there), decreasing hours spent on Facebook, to simply dining out less and saving more.  There are even a few of us that keep these resolutions past January 15^th (kudos to those who keep their resolutions/word)!  

Last year I remember being very eager to kiss 2012 goodbye (see Dear 2012 We’re Breaking Up).  But this year I find myself saying “Is it really over already?  2013, are we really counting down the hours to kiss you goodbye?”  Don’t get me wrong – I’m happy to start a fresh new year, but I am so overwhelmed with thankfulness for 2013.   I entered 2013 heartbroken and a bit out of breath from 2012. But as one of my favorite scriptures says: “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”  God was faithful to this promise from Romans 8:28.    Here’s just a glimpse of His promise fulfilled:

 At the St.Louis Arch in September

·       He relocated me to New Jersey to reconnect me with my family and friends & used   New Jersey as a safe place for me to grow in a whole new way.
·       He reintroduced me to my love for children, teaching them, and seeing them grow   as I taught preschool for a season.  
·       He encouraged me as I ventured out to spread the word about my return to the         Philippines and has provided for the journey in miraculous ways. 
·      I was able to offer support to others in a way I never would have imagined I could    two years ago. 
·   Participate in Hurricane Sandy relief.
·   I was able to travel to Missouri, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, & Pennsylvania to see friends, meet new friends, attend conferences, and itinerate.  (Such a gift!)

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     Yes it seems God has being doing a good work in this little heart of mine, I’m overflowing with thankfulness.  And as 2013 comes to a close I’m reminded of Hosea 6:1-3:

“Come, let us return to the Lord;
    for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
    he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
 After two days he will revive us;
    on the third day he will raise us up,
    that we may live before him.
 Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
    his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
    as the spring rains that water the earth.”

Hosea 6:1-3 is my resolution:  To return to Him in a greater measure and allow Him to love in and through me even more extravagantly than ever before.   He is reviving me…He has given me the greatest gift this year as He showered me with His grace.   I can’t think of another reason to be more thankful.

 

I encourage you to press on to know the Lord in 2014 like never before, He is faithful to meet you – no matter what it is that you are going through as 2013 closes and 2014 enters.  HE is bigger than all our problems or worst case scenarios.  Join me, return to Him, and allow Him to do what He does best…respond.

Happy New Year!

Bethany Ricci 

Happy Thanksgiving & November Newsletter

Hi Folks!

My  November newsletter can be found at http://www.fire-international.org/philippines-bethany-ricci/  Please check it out!

I send newsletters bi-monthly via mail and email.  If you are not on either of these mailing lists and would like to be please contact me at BethanyRayLife@gmail.com and I will add you.

You can also click the link above or to the right to make a tax deductible donation (please indicate donation is for Bethany Ricci)

I am thankful for each and every one of you! 

Blessings and have a Happy Thanksgiving!  

mis·con·cep·tion

miskənˈsepSHən

noun

plural noun: misconceptions

1. 1.

   a view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding. (google.com)

   
   

   .   

   Oh, misconceptions... We all have them.   Some of us  have more of them than we would like to admit and some of us even embrace them.   But is it really fair to us, or God, to hold onto them?  Is it OK to let our feelings lead our spirit and body?  These are not trick questions.   Obviously the answer is no, of course not.  So then why do we allow misconceptions about ourselves and God rule our mind and hearts, even unknowingly?  

   
   

   Often we don't realize how many misconceptions we're walking around with simply because we do not take the time to stop and ask God what He thinks.   But we know better.  

   Romans 12:2 says this:   

   
   

   "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  

   
   

   Give up the worldly thinking and gain His pleasing and perfect will, sounds like a good deal to me.    This may come as a shocker to some of you, but God isn't done with me yet (thank goodness!).    I know He is faithful to fulfill His promises (Ps. 145:13).   God isn't us.  He doesn't break His promises, He doesn't flake out, He doesn't wear out or lose His cool.  He is the Omnipotent, almighty,  creative,  author & perfecter, beginning and end,  covenant keeping, and 100% faithful one.  He will always be more patient, loving, kind, forgiving, and gracious then we will be.  But as we spend more and more time thinking on and with Him, we will become more and more like Him.  Then we will begin to see our misconceptions fall and His truth rise.   He is worthy of it all - He is able to take on the greatest of pain, mistakes, ungodly beliefs, you name it - He's got your back.  

   
   

   I know this post is a little unusual than my other ones, and to some even simple.  But the Gospel is simple and pure.  Be encouraged that He is able to take on your misconceptions and He will be faithful to transform you.    On that note I will leave you with Philippians 4:8

   
   

   "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." 

   
   

   May you continue to grow in His love and knowledge. 

   
   

   In Him,

   Bethany 

   
   

   

   Donna, Lauren, Anna and myself with new friends Sharron & Lida at a recent Conference.

   
   

   
   

New August Newsletter is posted, this months topic is all about change!   

You can check it out at:

http://www.fire-international.org/philippines-bethany-ricci/

Please contact me if you would like to be added to the mailing or email lists!  

Abundant Blessings,
Bethany Ricci 

Congrats & Goodbyes

My last newsletter was in April and now here we are, June.  How is it that the minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months seem to increasingly pass so quickly?   It seems that the so many changes have taken place just in these few short months since my last update.  I am currently writing a newsletter so I will keep this particular post brief.

In May I was able to visit North Carolina to see my wonderful former roommates graduate Fire School of Ministry.  It was so refreshing to see their faces and visit FIRE Church again.   I am so proud of them and I just know God has amazing things coming their way.  Congrats Sean, Carla, Carlyne, and Rebekah!  I love you guys! 

Sean, Carla, and Carlyne waiting to receive their diplomas! 

Hanging around the old house!

I was also able to see some of my former classmates and we had a mini class reunion!  It was so much fun to catch up with them and see how God is moving in all of their lives. 

Michael, me, Christian, Chloe (honorary class member!), and Aaron

A new newsletter should be sent out shortly with more details about my NC trip and how things are going. I'm really excited to say that things are moving in the right direction as I continue to seek out financial sponsorship to return to the Philippines.  As always, if you want to be added to the list email me at BethanyRayLife@Gmail.com.

Lastly, I just want to take a moment to honor a great man who my family had to say goodbye to suddenly; our very dear friend, Eric Grodberg.    His memorial service was one of the most encouraging and God glorifying services I have ever been to.  Hundreds of people from all over the tri-state area came to share about "their Eric."  He was committed to serving the Lord and remaining easy to relate to.  An "includer" by nature, deep thinker, writer, friend, and forever in our hearts.  Grief is a real thing, but thankfully we have hope in Christ - and our loss is heaven's gain. He will be forever missed and I am privileged to have laughed with him, learned from him, got into trouble with him, and loved him. 

Joyfully,

Bethany

April Newsletter!

I am excited to say that my April Newsletter can be found at: http://www.fire-international.org/bethany-ricci-philippines/   
then click on "Read Bethany's Current Newsletter" 

There are A LOT of exciting things going on as I plan my return to the Philippines, so check it out and pass it along if you can!  

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or prayer requests.  It would be my privilege to pray for you.

New Blog Post Coming Soon! :-)

Blessings,

Bethany

Welcome Home!

As my dog howls her alert that the UPS man is near I am reminded yet again of the reality I am in New Jersey-- well that and Missy really does not like packages being delivered to "her" territory.   I often wonder if the UPS man came in the house if she would do anything to discourage his entry or simply love on him like she does to all who enters.  Anyways, that's enough about my adorable pup.    A lot has gone on since my last post so this one will primarily be a brief update on my whereabouts and current status.

"Don't go!" - Leah & I

I left the wonderful state of North Carolina.   During the twelve hour drive back to New Jersey, I reflected on my experiences in NC and was overwhelmed by the faithfulness of God (if you don't already reflect on the testimonies of God in your life, do it!  Especially if you're going through a difficult time! Psalm 119 is a good place to start, too).  My life really did radically change during my time there and I will be forever thankful for my time at FIRE School of Ministry,  FIRE Church....even my job at Servpro.  However,  I am not only thankful for the relationships I made while I was there, I am completely blown away by how God set me up with the right people at the right time.    

The best family AKA Housemates

So why did I leave?  Well first off, it wasn't easy leaving the people and place I had grown to love.   But I love the purposes and promises of God all the more.  So when the opportunity arose for me to return to NJ to save money, raise funds for my missionary journey, and  start a new job,  I prayerfully considered it.  And at the end of the day I didn't want to miss out on a God-ordained opportunity.  In Mark Batterson's book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, he says this:

"Spiritual maturity is seeing and seizing God-ordained opportunities." 

I purposed in my heart that I do not want to live a life of regrets but a life stewarding the dreams and opportunities God gives me - no matter how scary they are.  So the short answer is this: I left because God prompted me to and all I could do was obey....True story.

It snows here way too often

So here I am, in New Jersey teaching Preschool at The Learning Center at Grace and Peace, spending time with my family and reconnecting with friends as I actively prepare to leave for the missions field by January 2014.   It hasn't been all rainbows and lollipops here but there has been grace for the transition - even with the reverse culture shock (who knew that could happen?!).    But that's where I'm at - seizing God's opportunities  the only way I know how, through obedience.

That's all for this post, but I'm working on my newsletter as well so please let me know if you would like to be added to the mailing list by contacting me at: BethanyRayLife@gmail.com 

Joyful in Him,

Bethany

P.S. If you're interested in the book I quoted you can purchase it on Amazon or CBD.com :-)