I couldn’t written this truth better. It seems that Ebola is on a lot of minds…this perspective is a godly one. Thank you Pastor Kevin, from Ozark, MO.
As I travel throughout the community, Ebola is on everyone’s mind. The Ebola virus leads the news coverage. Schools and hospitals are going into lockdown until firemen and others arrive in full hazmat suits. People are on edge just watching the news, much less if you or your relative is in one of the buildings where it is happening. To say the least, we as a country are more than just merely interested; this is extremely serious.
For anyone planning to do any travel, you can’t help but wonder where all the other people around you have been, what they’ve been exposed to, and what possibly you are being introduced to in terms of illness. We hear some people tell us that it is only passed from one person to the next through direct contact, but then others speculate how these nurses are catching it in spite of their incredible…
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So, many of you have been following my trip with Stan through Facebook posts. This is Day 10, and I thought I would share some insights and more details of what God is showing me as we travel together. First, let me say…it’s been a wonderful time just being together! I have re-learned things about Stan…From my journal of the trip: 1 – STAN IS VERY SUITED FOR TRUCKING – HIS BLADDER IS HUGE…MINE – Not so much! 2 – STAN IS KIND TO EVERYONE – A TRUCKER KNOCKED ON OUR WINDOW WHO DIDN’T USE GOOD GRAMMAR, AND A LOT OF EXPLETIVES. AS HE ASKED FOR HELP WITH A TRAILER PROBLEM, STAN PATIENTLY LISTENED AND TOOK TIME TO POINT OUT THE PROBLEM AND EXPLAIN A SOLUTION. 3 – STAN’S WORD IS HIS INTEGRITY. I WATCHED HIM PARK IN A NARLY SPOT, (hard to get into). HE UNHOOKS THE TRAILER, AND FINDS A PLACE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT TRAILER TO BE LOADED. WHILE WAITING, HE REALIZED HE NEEDED TO MOVE THE AXLES TO A DIFFERENT POSITION, AS HIS DISPATCHER ASKED HIM TO DO. HE COULD HAVE LEFT IT FOR THE NEXT GUY, BUT HE STARTED US BACK UP, BACKED UP TO IT, PULLED IT OUT AND MADE THE CHANGE….BECAUSE HE TOLD THEM HE WOULD. MORE INSIGHTS LATER…. As we drive through different states, I see many of the same things from city to city, town to town. Many of the same businesses and restaurants, Dollar General’s are everywhere, as well as Wal-Mart, Subway, and of course McDonald’s. We all have just about the same access to goods all across the country. 
There are churches of all kinds, buildings, denominations, sizes close to the roads we’ve crossed. There are even churches in many truck stops. We had the privilege to attend one last Sunday night near Baltimore, in the Lower level (basement) of a truck stop in Jessup, MD. It was pastored by a man who has been preaching to truckers and others for over 20 years. His friend Henry, just comes to sit and pray while Pastor Jerry preaches. We sat around a table, together with 5 other people, one woman, the rest men. We sang a hymn and then he shared the simple gospel from the Book of Matthew. It was refreshing as he then led in a prayer time, for the Holy Spirit to draw to God those in need of salvation, and for those in need of repentance, and then prayed for safety as we were on the road and safety as Satan would try to tempt and discourage. It was precious. A seasoned trucker for 26 years, I talked to while waiting for Stan in that place mentioned how bad this area used to be. Filled with prostitutes, crime, drugs and how the city had just leveled it years ago and left it a flat few acre lot. Empty was better than the darkness that was there. Then someone turned it into this truck stop. Welcomed by the truckers in the East, as they are fewer and farther between and so many need a stopping place. I just know that God is using Pastor Jerry to draw more to the Kingdom. No, he doesn’t get real theological, or denominational, he just gives them Jesus. Mission fields look different don’t they? Blessings, Truckerwife – Kristi 
I was in Branson, MO, shopping at the Outlets, and went into Christopher & Banks with my mom. It was her store, and I had never been in it. As we looked, I found a $9.99 rack full of nice things. I scored some great items and made my way to the check out. It was here, that day, that the question I have always wanted to hear was asked of me! “Would you be interested in modeling for us?”
I answered so quickly, it shocked me…”Sure!” Then I added, ” Do you think you really want me? I’m not the typical model body?!” She assured me that all types were needed and put my name on the list. Well, that was about a month ago.
Last weekend the debut for my modeling career began! It was so much fun picking out a fall outfit or two or three with a stylist, and hearing what looked good and adding accessories from their jewelry area. So my hour in the window began at noon!
Honestly, it really was more like a “Welcome to Walmart” type of experience, waving and smiling in the window and trying to get people to notice me and come into the store. I’m sure I didn’t boost sales, with my “model moves” – but I got 40% off of anything purchased and an invitation to come back and do it again in the spring.
Everyone who really knows me, knows that I am very transparent and sometimes even called “brutally honest”. My sons would always say to me, “Mom, you don’t have to tell everything you know!” So I know there is a line and I have probably crossed it too many times. But I have to confess, I love the “limelight”.
I must have gotten that from my natural birthfather, cuz my mom and my true “Dad” aren’t like that in any way. They don’t even want to be introduced in their new Sunday School Class at church.
My Stylist, Christy and me
So as I turn the corner and share with you these thoughts, here is the meat of the blog today.
Since I was in High School, I loved this poem from Ruth Harms Calkin, one of my favorite poets. She speaks like I think so many times.
I WONDER
You know, Lord how I serve You With great emotional fervor In the limelight. You know how eagerly I speak for You At a women’s club. You know how I effervesce when I promote A fellowship group. You know my genuine enthusiasm At a Bible Study. But how would I react, I wonder If You pointed to a basin of water And asked me to wash the calloused feet Of a bent and wrinkled old woman Day after day Month after month In a room where nobody saw And nobody knew. From: Tell Me Again, Lord, I Forget by Ruth Harms Calkin Tyndale House PublishersI believe someday, I will have this experience, maybe caring for my mother, or mother in law, or maybe a dear saint who needs a special touch and I am called to be that person. I pray that I will love the “servant” position as much as the “limelight”. I admire many of my friends who are full of humility and have mercy and a servant heart. I am a prideful person, and that sin is ever before me. I pray over it more than any other. Please know I am a work in progress and when the day comes that I am sharing in this act of humility just like Jesus did, I will do it with joy.
Love from the Barefoot MODEL Blogger ! 
I’ve lost my benefits since I retired from the State of California’s Retirement System. I was “vested”, but not for enough years to earn the coveted “benefit package”. Since my Trucker man is considered, ‘self-employed’, we are on our own. Well, we do have some options….none of which are very interesting, but I am thrilled about the BENEFITS of Psalm 103.
Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Of David.103 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Benefit #1 – Forgives all my iniquity – Enough said right there! My greatest need is forgiveness. I cannot be in the presence of a Holy God with iniquity (sin). I am guilty before God and deserve His wrath. He provided the payment for my sin, in His Son Jesus, He woke me up, gave me faith, called me to be His and adopted me to be in His family. I am a joint heir, of Jesus….what Jesus gets, I get!
Benefit #2 – Heals all my diseases. – I am so sick, leperously sick, ebola sick, mentally sick, sin sick…I am sick with jealousy, covetousness, and pride. Unless God heals me with His presence in my life, I know I would be a drug addict or alcoholic, needing to anesthetize myself, because of the sick state of my life. Jesus has healed me. I am recoverd from these diseases.
Benefit #3 – Redeems my life from the pit. – Not a ‘pity party’…I’ve been in a real pit. When Stan & I were farmer and wife, we had a cistern. It was very deep and had a large crack in it. We had to repair it, so we could fill it with water supply to the old farm house. Long story short…it was dark, deep, and without a rescuer to pull me out – I would have lost my life in the pit. Eph 1:7 – In Him, I have redemption, through Christ’s blood. Meaning? It means He paid the required ransom to God for my release from that pit, that bondage of sin…He paid it with His blood so I could have life. It was costly, I am humbled He thought I was worth that. Now that kind of value is “priceless”.
Benefit #4 – Crowns me with steadfast love and mercy. Unwavering, faithful, constant, devoted, dependable, reliable are words we can define “steadfast”. I am His Royal Daughter, who is showered with love and mercy, how can I fear? Even as I see ‘my kind’ persecuted, and know it could come anytime to this place we call “America, the free, home of the brave”. I’m not sure I want to see it – I’m a woosie. I just have to know He will be there with me every step of the way, whatever comes, because He is steadfast.
Benefit #5 – Satisfies me with good – so my youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Eagle has been an example of long lived strength and speed. Some have said at middle age, eagles, do a big “makeover”. Snopes says it’s not true. I don’t care what God meant when comparing to an eagle, I just love that when I am “satisfied in Him, my youth is renewed”. Do I get the a facelift? or Eye lift? No, but counting my blessings, and being content, allows me to look back on my youth (years) and I am renewed of His faithfulness and joy He’s given.
YES, My benefit package is full…vs. 6 – righteousness, justice, and Vs. 12 …as far as the East is from the West (glad He didn’t say North to the South….think about it?!) He has removed my sin. My retirement and benefit package is secure. 
Blessings, from Kristi BloggerBarefoot
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As many of you know, I have recently relocated to Springfield, Missouri. This came from the desire to see my Trucker hubby, Stan more than 10 times in a year! This is the headquarters of the company that Stan works for now. So, to be able to see each other more often, a move was necessary.
Being a resident of the “Show Me State” is appropriate, since one of my favorite parts of Scripture is the place Moses asked God to ….”Show me Your glory…” Exodus 33:18. Here is their conversation:
17 The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” 19 And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” 20 But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” 21 Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.” NASB
I love the answer that God gave him to this request,
“I Myself, will make my goodness pass before you.”
Have you seen His goodness in your life? That is what my goal of writing this Blog is about.
Seeing His Glory in His Goodness!
It’s easy to see His goodness when it seems the blessings are evident, right in your face. A new baby’s birth, their sweet face nuzzled in those amazing baby pictures posted soon after he or she is brought home from the hospital.
His goodness is on display in the beauty of creation from the rolling hills of the Ozarks, the beauty of the sunsets over the beaches of California and the big skies of Texas my friends and relatives post on Facebook.
His goodness is evident as His provisions of new jobs, new graduates, new brides, next birthdays, anniversaries, and the new school year as they show up in our tweets, newsfeed and calendars.
But is He always good? I’ve struggled in my life, as adversity, sorrow and pain touch me, my close family or friends, a distant acquaintance, or even a stranger across the world, who I will never really know. Is God ALWAYS good?
I could list a lot of verses from the Bible that are truth, and I believe them to be unchanging, no matter the circumstances. Some days I have no trouble believing them.
Other days, when things are unjust, unfair, cruel, harsh, difficulty upon difficulty, in the midst of anger, loneliness, fearful situations, and lots of “why?” questions. Those are the days I have to teach myself the basics again, that the Bible is infallible, without error, trustworthy, true, preserved by God Almighty for me. I must live like I believe even in those doubting seasons. He knows I am a weak little Lamb. He is merciful when I am doubting, and allows me growing days. So as I teach myself again today…I’m so thankful for this promise:
“I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord, In the land of the living. Ps. 27:13
So I plan to share what God will SHOW ME –
Blessings from BarefootBlog – Kristi
ShowMeAgain Lord- @KristiBarefoot 