MK / Missionary

Ever since I was little, traveling around to churches with my family, one of the questions I was asked the most was "are you going to be a missionary like your parents when you grow up?". I got really tired of that question, just so you know :)
I love missions with such a deep, heart-felt way, I can't even tell you. Jesus is at the heart of missions. A Jewish man that was used to working hard with his hands, and loving others recklessly, with all of his being. Wherever the Lord leads me I will go, with no boundaries except the one's He sets for me. I have learned a long time ago as a kid, not to put people in ministry on a pedestal. People are people, and the church is full of imperfect people. Although, forgiven and blameless before the Lord, the church has hurt more than just one person. I know it's easy to lump the whole church together with the one or two people that hurt us, but in the end the only person left hurt is you. Just a note of encouragement from one who's been there, forgiving them really does free YOU up on the inside. God sees all and knows all and He CARES.
As I started saying, I love missions. I have never been opposed to living in a foreign country and telling people about Jesus. As a kid, I more was excited about living in other countries. I'm a little older now and realize the reason for going other parts of the world - to preach the gospel. Being a missionary though isn't something you inherit. Some kids follow in there parents footsteps, but life is a choice. I'm 27 and find myself raising monthly support, sending out letters as a Missionary. I touch the nations and move the heart of God from a little gray chair in the prayer room here at ihop. Bible in my lap, and music filling my ears, I encounter the most amazing relationship with a God so much bigger than me. While the world sleeps (in more ways than one), "I got your back" midnight to 6am. My friend Margaret, (a fellow starbucks co-worker in Grove City, Ohio)loves Jews and everything about Jews. I love them too. One in particular :)
This is going to be amazing. Just finished my first week of being back at ihop (International House of Prayer). Getting adjusted to the nights, somewhat unpacked and settled. I am working out the specifics with my schedule, and start voice lessons this next wed. (yea!). Now, if you ask me, "what are you going to be when you grow up?", I can tell you. I'm going to be a missionary.
(p.s. I love ya Marge!)
~Stephanie Queen

The above pictures are of me and one of my new roommates-Melissa. The second picture is at my baptism here in Kansas City, MO at IHOP in Nov. '07

Count Down...

10 days from now I will be heading back to Kansas City, MO. This time it won't be for three months, or six months. It will be for two years.. or ten :) who knows.... Things are kind of a caotic mess, but trying to continue that leaning thing, and the being thankful for my daily bread. I get myself in trouble when I start looking ahead too far cause then I start to worry etc. Don't know where I'll get gas money for my car for work in a couple days, let alone for my 11 hour drive. Don't know who is going to take my unruly dogs and my little cat, but I don't need to right? I have enough gas for today, enough food for today, and I don't "need" a home for my pets just yet. I have "enough".. So this little note will be proof of God's provision when I look back in a couple weeks. Keep an eye out. I'll be bringing the answer, and the amazing story of how good, how faithful and how God provided for me in the perfect time..
~Steph

The Sky

Have you ever had the urge to pull off to the side of the road and walk out into the middle of a field and lay down and look up at the sky? I grew up walking around barefoot and everywhere I turned their were trees, grass, mountains, rivers, flowers etc. I remember living in Nembi Valley, part of the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Every time we had a church service or some kind of gathering, it was expected to begin an hour or two later than planned. People walked for the most part, so we would be waiting on families that walked from a couple mountains away, taking them over several hours. They didn't wear watches, couldn't afford it and didn't know how to tell time. The Papua New Guinea people would gauge their time by the sun, and although it seems like they are never on time, they are very hard working, people-oriented, quick to smile and wave hello.
The past couple days, as I've driven home from work, the corn fields, green trees in the distance and the bright blue sky with fluffy clouds, has moved my small heart. I remember when I was younger and would struggle inwardly with all the moving that a missionary kid does. One thing that would comfort me was that when you look up, the sky is the same wherever you are. Wherever I went, their was a sun, moon, stars, and a blue sky with clouds. Rain is the same wet, refreshing liquid in America that it is in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Thunder is thunder, lightening is lightening, wind is wind. ... God is God....Sometimes the stars are a little hard to see in a city sky here in the states, but if you look closely, they are there.
Guess it goes to show, when you need some comfort, some familiarity, when you are looking for HOME..... look UP.
Seek First the Kingdom of God....
-Steph

This is the life...

I have come to the conclusion that I am to pursue a life, not of comfort and ease, but of quite the opposite. I have painfully become aware that I am to be content with being uncomfortable, and frequently encounter circumstances that develop humility. Also, I find that instead of the top of the mountain, over the hump, ahead of the game moments; it is the valley, the struggle over the obstacles, the last place in the race; those are just the places where I am to live, learn, be faithful, trusting, and hopeful. As much as I don't like not knowing, not having, not making the cut etc. I know in my heart, I am to embrace the awkward conversations, I am to make the fumbling, stuttering, humble public prayers, I am to pursue again and again after repeated rejection, I am to say yes, when I don't have the means to follow through on my own, I am to do what God wants, not what I want, even, and especially when, it HURTS. I am to pursue a life of yielding to the cultivation, pruning- I am to brave the elements, the storms, the deserts, the wilderness.... Well, wish I could say this is comforting news. If it was, it wouldn't be very beneficial.... carrying a cross isn't easy. Good thing I know the one who is kind in his judgement, gentle in his discipline, loving in his touch, merciful in his correction, understanding in all wisdom and perfect in leadership of my life. God is so good. There is only one God, one way, one life. Living for God is where I am most alive. So I will press on toward the goal to win the prize, .. to press on.. that is to be my life... it isn't all about the instant attainment. .. seek first the kingdom of God... God is faithful and true to his word. My job is to keep on keeping on and believe that even when I don't see it. .. it's not about the fun, the excitement, the thrill- it's finding out that it's fun, exciting, thrilling to be loved by GOD. We are LOVED by GOD. That is worth thinking about for a long while. Ok, preachin' a little .. i am an mk.. :)
Steph Q

Ireland Mission Trip Continued...

Just a few pic's of my trip with Ohio Christian University. We traveled with a Christian Magician that gave us a foot in the door to the schools of Newtownards, Northern Ireland.