Be the Change

STOP THE TRAFFIK

Restoration

That my desires would line up with Yours

That my thoughts would correspond to Yours

That my heart would beat in time with Yours

That I would break for You alone

This is my hope

To conform not to the many pulls around me

But that firm in Your foundation I would stand

That my tears would fall for what breaks Your heart

That my mind would be shaped by Your reasoning

That my footsteps would follow Your passion

That I would resolve myself to You alone

This is my choice

To follow not the current of life that surrounds me

But turn against the dark and live in Your light

Guide me in every breath

Transform my every notion

Align my every compassion

Restore me to You alone

- Alaina Mathers Oct 2011

A Spot of Tea In Transition

Not a big tea drinker, but here I find myself in England once again-

Yes I am enjoying the occasional cup of tea (some I brought from home that I actually really like)

As I find my self walking around enjoying a bit of fresh air, I'm delighted to see the glorious array of fall colors arriving in the many deciduous trees and bushes around. 

Life is in transition all around me- from the depths of my heart to the leaves of the vines that are creeping down the numerous brick walls.

Transition

n., Passage from one place or state to another

Certainly has been the story of my life over the last two years- 

It seems strange that just two years ago I was arriving in this same place, but nothing at that time was familiar- I remember the overwhelming sensation-

This transition is quite different in that a lot if familiar, but that just makes the changes all the more stark-

Many times I see something that sparks a fun memory, but those who I made that memory with have moved on. It is strange to be here without them, but I am making new memories with new friends. 

That is a huge blessings in and of itself. 

"Home" and Coffee Creamer

Maybe it's the longevity of my stay, or the suddenness of my departure; But in many ways I miss "home" considerably more than I did when I began my last venture. 

I miss home in Montana as well as home here that is no longer in existence and home in Italy- This new transition and awareness of change makes me miss anything familiar. 

God is faithful and slowly but surely I am settling here. Opportunities to work with youth are opening up as well as training conferences and networking possibilities with other youth ministries in the area. 

Armed with coffee creamer recipes, love from home, and new friends here I will make it through this transition and enjoy a spot of tea along the way-

                                                   Love and hugs,

                                                                                   'Laina

Pieces of My Heart

As I lay here sleepless, my mind wanders over the past days, month and even years-

I remember many smiles, lots of laughter, tears of joy, and tears of grief- deep down in my soul to the point of physically aching.

I remember places- places of beauty, and poverty; of grandeur and emptiness; of man and of God.

But mostly I remember people- people I don’t remember meeting for the first time, people I only spent a moment with, people who took me in as a part of the family without question, people who laughed with me and more importantly cried with me-

In the words of Byron-

When Friendship or Love

Our sympathies move;

When Truth, in a glance, should appear,

The lips may beguile,

With a dimple or smile,

But the test of affection's a Tear:

Too oft is a smile

But the hypocrite's wile,

To mask detestation, or fear;

Give me the soft sigh,

Whilst the soultelling eye

Is dimm'd, for a time, with a Tear:

When I look forward, a sea of unknown memories, places, and people swim into view-

More pieces of my heart will be scattered to all the corners of this earth and some will journey to heaven before me.

Most days I am excited for these things that God has in store, but always I long for my heart to be all in one place- The more I look back on my life I see that on this earth it will never be. For that I chose to be thankful- what a gift of God to have given me so many wonderful though sometimes painful memories and what a wonderful variety I see in those who have taken pieces of my heart around the world and back again.

So tonight as I lay here sleepless- I look forward to heaven- The only place where my heart will truly be whole- When the pieces that have been scattered to the wind will all be in one place rejoicing with our Lord because of what He has done for us. That He chose to create relationships and that He wanted to have one with every one of us and make us all family-

This is for the family I am with now, that I will be leaving soon as well as the family I have met and left and Lord willing will be seeing soon and even the family I haven’t met yet. I look forward to the laughter and the tears- because we have the choice of hope and joy. Thank you Lord Jesus!

Newsy Time

                         Walking On Water

                       Faith ~ Hope ~ Trust

Once upon a dark night, two girls were riding the bus. The city lights sparkled through the raindrops that trickled down the window in front of them. Reminiscing over the way the Lord revealed Himself, they were reminded of a scripture:

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

(Matthew 14:25-32)

Against all odds, these girls were learning to “walk on water.” They were learning to trust the only One worthy of their faith-

I was one of these girls, and I am astounded at the amount of times when I was serving in Europe that I heard this scripture either taught or found myself assigned to teach a kids’ club on it.

Midst of Chaos

PEACE. JOY.

God revealed Himself in giving us the strength to carry on when the night seemed dark and the storm was ready to knock us flat- but when we reached our hands out to Him. He consistently pulled us up so that we might learn to walk by faith instead of in our own foolishness.

Once again I am reminded of this verse, as I am learning to walk on water once more (and I’m sure it won’t be the last lesson in this).

In the last month, my life has become a sea of uncertainty. I quit my job, watched my little sister get married, and am planning on moving to England in just under a month. This sounds like a well structured plan- However; I am in the midst of my visa application and only at 42% of my support goal.

I have a peace in the midst of this chaos in that I know God has brought me to this place- and He’s never let me down before.

Please keep me in your prayers:

·           Discernment in knowing what God has for me in the coming weeks.

·           A quick turnaround for my visa application process.

·           A good deal on a plane ticket

·           People being led to become a part of my support team.

This wouldn’t be possible without you, and support goes both ways- Please let me know how I can be praying for you and how I can be involved in your life. We’re in this together united as the body of Christ.

Love and prayers,

                                               Alaina Mathers

Helping with the Federal Way VBS

Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:16-19

Posing with my beautiful sister

If you would like to become a part of my support team:

You can give online at

www.usa.om.org/GiveOnline/

My account number is 2265967

Canoeing on the 4th of July

 Thank You for making this possible!

Youth Track

Serving in the United Kingdom

As the time is rushing by and the deadline for my dream of serving in the UK comes closer, I am busy trying to find partners who will come alongside me and see the vision God has given me to share Jesus with the youth of the UK. 

God has blessed me with a wonderful church and a sweet sweet family. 

So in attempt to cover my plane ticket over to the UK and some of the start up cost I am also selling coffee via Just Love Coffee Roasters who come alongside couples trying adopt, mission organizations, and those going abroad to serve in missions. 

So please check out my store front and enjoy some coffee and fun t-shirts:

Support Alaina Mathers with Just Love Coffee

"The Bullring" Shopping Mall

Down Town Birmingham

Finding myself in Scotland... Or not?

So I'm visiting Edinburg, but not in Scotland :)

Enjoying a wonderful time with wonderful friends and eating lots of Mexican food!

This is the life!

Hasta luega!

Just Breathe...

As life is extremely busy these days... (only two weeks before I'm off for Texas!) I feel the constant need to remind myself to breathe...  

So when I heard this song on the radio if brought a smile to my face and a need to take a moment to do just that and share this with you!

The Treasures of the Snow

Job 38:22  

Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?

 Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

Amy sliding in the snow :)

Crazy amounts of snow! Joyous!!

Family Pic at my favorite place in Montana

Ross Creek Cedars

Sisters

At Our Tree

"I Love My Mommy!!"

Unique

A thrill spirals down my spine
The first snowflake has fallen
For now I dread the day when
I will see that last one of the season

Smiling, I draw a deep cool breath of frosty air
Exhaling with a chuckle as my breath freezes
In mid-air so that I can not only feel it but see it
Such joy is only felt on a winter day

Snowflakes, each created perfect and unique
Sent down to earth to fall where God wills
As is each one of us, none of us the same,
Searching for the place God has for us to land

Spring air will warm the earth and the beauty
Of winter will fade, another season gone by
Snowflakes will cease to fall, but their purpose
Is fulfilled in replenishing the moisture for spring growth

So will our purpose be fulfilled in our season
Our qualities unique and perfected in our
Lord’s strength; Like the lovely snowflake
May we find our way in His grace and love.

~Alaina Mathers~

Written Feb 2009.

Work In Progress

Patience is a Virtue 

And I'm asking for yours today :)

I'm excited about the possibilities of a brand new fresh blog to fill with 

a more personal note instead of just the normal update on my life-

I hope to fill this blog with things that made me

 smile, burst out laughing or even dissolve into tears. 

But back to the patience as the the changes in my life are keeping me

hopping left to right front to back and even in circles-

I don't know how often I will be getting to blogging.

So as my life is a work in progress so is this blog-

But I hope you enjoy the posts when I do find time- 

And Lord willing this fall these posts will be coming 

from my beloved England once again!

So for now cheerio!