Symanzik Family Update

My husband just read this to me this morning from a book he is reading. I really like this prayer.

"May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths,
and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within
your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression,
and explotation of people so that you may work for justice,
freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer pain,
rejection, hunger and war, so that you may reach out your hand
to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe
that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do
what others claim cannot be done to bring justice and kindness
to all our children and the poor. Amen.

Pg 105 "Prayer - Does It Make Any Difference?" by Philip Yancey

Ben participated in his first ABKA-Philippines Bushido Karate Tournament on Saturday. He earned a third place medal.
Kurt, Mikayla and Kirsten cheered him on.

I was sorry to miss it but I was having out-patient surgery done.

Ben really enjoys karate and his instructors. We are thankful for the godly influence these men have in Ben's life.

Exodus 15:3 3 The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.

Phil. 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

These Bible verses are two of the Bushido Kai School's theme verses and they are on the certificates he received on Saturday.

This morning I had a lump removed from my left breast. I will know the pathology report in about 10 days.
Pray for me to heal up from this minor surgery well.

A friend asked me if I was scared about the results.
No, I'm not.
I have a peace in my soul that comes from knowing that my Heavenly Father has everything in His control. I am resting in His hands.

Isaiah 43 1 But now, this is what the LORD says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;...... 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;...

And to quote from a favourite hymn of mine.....

"Whate'er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate'er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Jake is a friend of ours and works at our office.
He has been having heart trouble and needs to have a valve replacement surgery sooner rather than later.
Please pray for the finances. (In US dollars it's about $11,000).
Pray for his peace in all this uncertainty. Jake is a deeply committed Christian with an excellent musical talent that he uses in leading praise and worship at our office meetings and at his church. He's a great accountant. And he's also helping Kurt learn Cebuano.

"If we maintain the open-mindedness of children, we challenge fixed ideas and established structures, including our own. We listen to people in other denominations and religions. We don't find demons in those with whom we disagree. We don't cozy up to people who mouth our jargon. If we are open, we rarely resort to either-or: either creation or evolution, liberty or law, sacred or secular, Beethoven or Madonna. We focus on both-and, fully aware that God's truth cannot be imprisoned in a small definition. "
-- Brennan Manning