Persistent Prayer

Five years ago, my sister, Tosha, began the journey towards motherhood. The road was filled with pitfalls and disappointments but my sister never gave up because she believed that God wanted her to be a mommie. On December 20th, our family received word that in 8 short weeks we will travel to China to get her daughter, Catherine Renee. This is a testament to persistent prayer. Welcome to our family little peanut.

I love the fact that my job is taking care of people around the world. When you step into destiny and find that place of absolute contentment you really begin to live life to the fullest. For me, when I am sitting in a small schoolroom that has been converted for the day into a clinic, and I am seeing patients who are so desperate for medical care, I am actually embracing my life. No it is not the traditional path most physicians take; however, it is the one that was chosen for me from the foundation of the world. It is the path that God whispered to my heart at the age of 8 years old. And, it is the path that brings me the most fulfillment in life. So, this Thanksgiving I am thankful that God entrusted me to follow this path of being a doctor to the world.

Run The Race

This past month I have been speaking on Hebrews 12:1. It is about running my race with endurance. I discovered a few interesting things about my race as I prepared this message. Perhaps the most important thing that I was reminded of was this: It is my race alone to run. God has an individual race for me and I cannot compare it with any other person on the face of the earth. It is uniquely designed for my personality, my gifts, and my abilities. What a relief! I can run my race without fear, condemnation, or pressure.

The single ant may seem insignificant but when they march together it is impressive. When they work together miles of tunnels are forged--all by this tiny insect. Each one of them doing their part for the common good.

Recently I was in a church service when the pastor, who was introducing me, said, "I am so thankful we are a small part of what Dr. Tonya does." Something just didn't set right inside of me. The word small made me uncomfortable. I stood up to speak and reminded the congregation that there is no such thing as small. It takes everyone doing something to make a difference in the world. Whether it is $5.00 in a offering when you cannot afford it, a phone call to a discouraged friend, offering help to a stranger, a smile when the person in front of you is down right contrary or even determining that this day you will listen to God.

Whenever I am obedient to the Lord and I do my part--there is no SMALL THING.

No Looking Back

There are those days when I often wonder, "did I really hear that correctly?" I may have made a decision based upon prayer and wise counsel and then chaos erupts. I find myself doubting decisions and all anxious within my heart. My emotions are like a rollercoaster ride in a theme park--hold your breath in while you slowly ascend to the highest point and then scream like a little girl as you plummet towards the ground at breakneck speeds. Keep a strangle-hold on the safety bar as you are jerked around and upside down. Up and down, back and forth. You get the picture.

The other night after a very emotionally challenging day, I came to this conclusion. It was time to get off the rollercoaster ride. I don't have the right to look back when I believe God has given me instructions. I have to remain resolute when I make a decision. Sure, the enemy loves to make me crazy and doubt; however, it is my responsibility to stand firm and promise myself, NO LOOKING BACK.

Your life matters

I recently met a lady who told me this story. She had tears in her eyes as she thanked me for making a difference in her life.

"Dr. Tonya, you don't know me but several years ago I heard you in a church services talk about medical mission work. You were getting ready to take a team somewhere and the church was praying for you. While I listened, God spoke to me very specifically to apply for the Physician Assistant program at the University of Florida. I thought it strange since I never had any inclination to do medicine. I was an art history major, content to raise my four children and attend church. But I could not deny that God had spoken. I did exactly that and now I am a PA using my skills to do medical mission work when I can. I am making a difference."

Oh that we would never grow weary and stop running the race. Tomorrow it may be someone else who is influenced by your life. You matter!

Take a deep breath

There are literally days when I sit at my desk in the office and I am overwhelmed. The weight of responsibility feels huge. I get focused on my never-ending "To Do" list which seems to regenerate itself magically. You cross off one thing and instaneously three more things are in its place. There are questions waiting to be answered. Your inbox keeps saying, "you've got mail." Your phone keeps beeping that there is a message waiting. AHHHHHH!!!!!

It is in those hectic moments of my day that I am reminded that all I really need to do is keep breathing. That's right, just take a deep breath. Oh the responsibility will still be there, the questions will still need answering, the inbox and phone will keep sending me those annoying electronic notifications;however, I will still be breathing and that is good for the moment.

Five Minutes

One of the lessions I have been learning over this past year is about rest. Finding five minutes in my day just to be still. We are so programmed to run from appointment to appointment. It is a mad dash to complete all the tasks we set for ourselves to do in a day. No wonder that we are stressed out, depressed, and overwhelmed. This is not what I want out of life. What I choose is to find those five minutes in my day when I take a deep breath and rest. I am choosing to be content and victorious. And when I am overwhelmed I want it to be because I am engulfed in the presence of God not my circumstances.

So today it is my choice and I choose five minutes!

Change

Today I was thinking about change and why we are so resistant to it. Is it fear, the challenge, or the unknown? Do we shy away from it because it disrupts what we feel is the stability of our lives? Or am I just selfish and want my life to stay the same without interruptions? I don't know.

What I do know is that God is dynamic and creative. His plan for my life is ever evolving and unfolding. It is my prayer that I would be totally abandoned to however He desires to express that plan through me. I want to be one of those individuals that lives life, who engages in God's plan and is courageous enough to listen when God says change.

New To Blogging

I am excited about starting this process of blogging. I think it will be a great way to share some of the Awesome Adventures we have here at New Frontiers. Some of you know that we just returned from a 3 month long journey to Africa. We sent teams to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. We were literally in 5 countries nine different times--that is a lot of traveling!

It was Sunday morning and I was asked to come to our health center because there was a woman in labor. Just as I walked into the observation room, the staff were delivering a little baby girl. I had the privlege of taking her from the staff, cleaning her up and then presenting her to the mother. What a delightful way to begin a Sunday morning.