Problems and Solutions
The Problem
As I stood on stage, waiting for the cue to step forward to introduce myself, my son leaned toward me and chuckled into my ear, “You’re not going to be able to reach the mic.”
I smothered a smile. I had been studying the mic myself and knew that, though I should be able to reach it, they definitely hadn’t considered my being vertically challenged when they set it up.
Being the first missionary in line, I smiled, stepped forward and began my introduction. Comic relief came to the rescue. If there had been any formality before, it melted into oblivion.
The Solution
That was the Wednesday evening kick-off to a great five-day Missions Conference at Second Baptist Church in Auburn, NY. Workshops, a missions prayer breakfast, a carry-in dinner and more filled those five days. Opportunities to hear and to share of the work the Lord is doing around the world were plenteous—as were special times of fellowship with the church family. It was an overall great conference.
Sunday was the final day of the conference. As I stepped forward to begin the round of introductions once more, I noticed that care had been taken to remedy Wednesday’s problematic mic. With some humorous remarks, a mic was handed to me. Considering this was my home church, with staff I continue to work with on a daily basis, the friendly jibes were not much of a surprise. 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rosie Cochran
I’m a mother of four great sons—and I have a wonderful daughter-in-law! I’m a recent widow who’s transitioning back into full-time missions to work with NTM’s Communications department. I’m also an author of three Christian suspense novels: Betrayed, Identity Revealed, and A Murder Unseen. (Available at: Amazon.com.) Greater than that, I am a child of God with a passion for God, my family, and writing! If you want to connect with me, join me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Interested in updates by email? CLICK HERE!
Have a question? Email Me!
A Night of Firsts
Last Sunday night was a night of firsts.
I gave my first missionary presentation. Considering that my role in the past had been to smile when introduced and then sit back down while my husband gave the presentation, I thought it went better than expected.
Driving home that night I had another first meeting—a meeting with a deer. My poor Toyota Yaris wasn’t so impressed with that meeting. The deer’s shoulder slammed into the front corner on the driver’s side, smashing her pretty blue bumper. Being a faithful little car, she drove me home with all her lights still functioning and without any apparent internal injuries. Of course, the next day I did have to check her in at the “auto ER”—commonly known as the repair shop. I’m sure she’s homesick and counting the days before she’s back in my driveway. The feeling is mutual.
The chance encounter with the deer prompted my third first for the night. It was the first time I ever called 911.
Three firsts in one night. You know, I really could have lived several more decades without needing to have two of those firsts. But the missionary meeting? Even though it was outside my comfort zone, it was a first meeting of many as I make plans to head back into missions full-time. That made it a good first. Prayers are appreciated for my upcoming meetings—and safety in all my travels!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rosie Cochran
I am a widow—but my identity does not end there. I am a former pastor’s wife, former missionary, current full-time church secretary, mother of four great sons (and a wonderful daughter-in-law!), and author of three Christian suspense novels: Betrayed, Identity Revealed, and A Murder Unseen. (Available at: Amazon.com.) Greater than that, I am a child of God with a passion for God, my family, and writing!
If you want to connect with me, join me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Interested in updates by email? CLICK HERE!
Have a question? Email Me!
There’s the Surface Stuff—and the Stuff that Matters!
It’s been nearly a month since I was reinstated as a member of NTM. I remember the first time I became a member and started this Partnership Development thing. I was a few decades younger back then and it was called Deputation in those days. I also had a husband who was pretty much the one responsible to figure it all out. But life has changed. My husband has been graduated to glory, so this time round it’s been left up to me—or so it would appear on the surface.
That means I’ve been busy. While continuing my full-time job for now, I’ve been working on various projects in my spare time. The prayer card shown above was one of those projects, along with a ministry booklet and a display banner. Then there was a first prayer letter to get written and sent out. Of course, there have been meetings to get lined up and friends I want to spend time with while I’m still here. That’s the stuff that’s been left to me. The surface stuff.
The rest is up to God. He knows I need a team that will pray for, encourage, and support me—and He’s already begun raising up these special people. Touching hearts to pray for me and to send encouraging notes and phone calls my way—God specializes in things like that. So yes, the surface stuff has been left up to me and I’ve been having a fun time with it. But the stuff that really matters, like touching hearts, is God’s department. I’ll just leave that up to Him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rosie Cochran
I am a widow—but my identity does not end there. I’m a former pastor’s wife and former missionary. I’m also a mother of four great sons (and a wonderful daughter-in-law!), and an author of three Christian suspense novels: Betrayed, Identity Revealed, and A Murder Unseen. (Available at: Amazon.com.) Greater than that, I am a child of God with a passion for God, my family, and writing! I recently re-joined New Tribes Mission and am currently raising prayer and financial support before beginning to work with NTM’s Communication team. Blending ministry with my love for writing. God does amazing things!
If you want to connect with me, join me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Interested in updates by email? CLICK HERE!
Have a question? Email Me!
No Longer a Visitor
Walking through the doors of New Tribes Mission’s headquarters, I headed to the front desk to sign in. It was a strange feeling to be signing in like a stranger at a place that felt so much like home. But it hadn’t been home for over six years, and to the woman behind the desk I was a stranger and a visitor.
My day was filled with meetings and filling out paperwork. Each meeting added confirmation in my heart that this was where God would have me to be. Back in missions. Back to the same mission where Matt and I served for many years—yet in a new capacity.
Being that God has given me a love of writing, it wasn’t a surprise when He touched my heart to explore the possibilities of joining the Communications team at NTM. Having recently lost my husband to cancer, I labored over when the timing would be right to proceed. I asked God to make it clear.
In the meantime, unbeknownst to me, the Director of Communications was praying about when it would be appropriate to write and let me know that if I was interested in writing for NTM, that they would love to have me consider that. He wanted it to be God’s timing—not his.
God answered both our prayers. The letter was written, I responded, and God is in the process of putting the finishing touches on the timing of His perfect plan.
I smiled as I walked out the doors at the end of the day, knowing that the next time I walked through those doors, I would no longer be a visitor.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rosie Cochran
I am a widow—but my identity does not end there. I am a former pastor’s wife, former missionary, current full-time church secretary, mother of four great sons (and a wonderful daughter-in-law!), and author of three Christian suspense novels: Betrayed, Identity Revealed, and A Murder Unseen. (Available at: Amazon.com.) Greater than that, I am a child of God with a passion for God, my family, and writing!
If you want to connect with me, join me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Interested in updates by email? CLICK HERE!
Have a question? Email Me!
Plans to Give You Hope and a Future
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, ”plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
This promise came to the Israelites in the middle of captivity. It wasn’t an immediate promise, but the hope of a better future beyond captivity.
During our journey with cancer, we weren’t captives, but we faced hardships and an unknown future. But we had God and each other, and that was enough. Still, there were those more distant unknowns, the after-Matt unknowns. Those unknowns could give cause to fret, which is why I think God gave me this verse.
It was like He was reassuring me that He had a plan for me—even an after-Matt plan. He was reassuring me that He had a hope for me—even an after-Matt hope. And now I’m at that place. I’m at the after-Matt place. So what’s next?
Matt and I had many discussions over the past few years of what my future would hold. Our numerous discussions always came back to the same conclusion, that I should head back into missions. Missions was where I was before I met Matt. Missions is where my heart remains.
The details have been coming together beautifully, so much so, that next week I will be making a trip to New Tribes Mission’s headquarters in Florida for an interview. During that time I will also meet with the Communications Department, which is where I am most interested in working. Missions, communicating, and writing—what a wonderful blend of ministry and what I love. Your prayers are appreciated as I make this trip—and I look forward to giving you an update afterwards.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rosie Cochran
I am a widow—but my identity does not end there. I am a former pastor’s wife, former missionary, current full-time church secretary, mother of four great sons (and a wonderful daughter-in-law!), and author of three Christian suspense novels: Betrayed, Identity Revealed, and A Murder Unseen. (Available at: Amazon.com.) Greater than that, I am a child of God with a passion for God, my family, and writing!
If you want to connect with me, join me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Interested in updates by email? CLICK HERE!
Have a question? Email Me!
Beautiful Moments
It’s always good to have our thinking challenged. After my last post, a family friend lovingly wrote, “The empty space that Matt has left in your soul may still be there, but it can be a beautiful spot.” He was challenging and encouraging me that it can be beautiful right now. Not years from now, but right now.
As I thought over his words, God brought to mind all the beautiful moments He has blessed me with these past weeks. I couldn’t begin to list all of them, but I hold them close to my heart.
…Words of encouragement, offers of help, and hugs at just the right moment.
…Cards from friends and strangers alike—some from people I barely know who were touched by Matt’s struggle with cancer.
…Invites for coffee and a time to just chat.
…An invite to a Valentine Day’s party family style—to keep me occupied on that day.
And the list goes on.
Beautiful moments despite an empty space.
That begs the question: How can a “spot” in my life be filled with beautiful moments, but not be beautiful? I think he was right. This empty space can still be a beautiful spot right now. Maybe beautiful in a strange way, but still beautiful.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rosie Cochran
I am a widow—but my identity does not end there. I am a former pastor’s wife, former missionary, mother of four great sons (and a wonderful daughter-in-law!), and author of three Christian suspense novels: Betrayed, Identity Revealed, and A Murder Unseen. (Available at: Amazon.com.) Greater than that, I am a child of God with a passion for God, my family, and writing!
If you want to connect with me, join me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Interested in updates by email? CLICK HERE!
Have a question? Email Me!
There Is a Time and a Season
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:11)
God has made everything beautiful in its time. This verse showed up in my Bible study time under God’s promises and how they apply to our lives. After a string of verses on there being a time and season for everything, God puts in this wonderful promise. God has made everything beautiful in its time.
I find it strange that it’s past tense. I keep wanting to say, “God will make everything beautiful in its time.” But it’s like He’s already done it. He has already made everything beautiful in its time. Easy to do when you know the beginning from the end.
As a new widow, I’m claiming His new mercies every morning. Leaning hard on God, I’m finding His strength to take me through these difficult days, the adjustments, the decisions. I’m finding His joy and peace in the hardship. But beautiful? I wouldn’t describe it like that. It doesn’t look beautiful right now. It doesn’t feel like everything will one day be beautiful again. I mean, how can life ever hold the same “beauty” without my beloved husband by my side? It doesn’t feel like that can be true. But are my beliefs based on feelings or on the truths of God’s Word?
It’s a given. My beliefs are rooted in the truths of God’s Word. That being true, when He plops a reassuring promise before me, I’m going to claim it and cling to it—even if I don’t quite get it. It’s a promise. It’s a truth. I’ll claim that any day over my unreliable feelings.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Now’s just not that time. Right now it’s a time to mourn. It’s okay to mourn. It’s okay that the world doesn’t hold the same beauty. But I have that promise, that someday I’ll see again that God has made everything beautiful in its time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rosie Cochran
I am a widow—but my identity does not end there. I am a former pastor’s wife, former missionary, mother of four great sons (and a wonderful daughter-in-law!), and author of three Christian suspense novels: Betrayed, Identity Revealed, and A Murder Unseen. (Available at: Amazon.com.) Greater than that, I am a child of God with a passion for God, my family, and writing!
If you want to connect with me, join me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Interested in updates by email? CLICK HERE!
Have a question? Email Me!
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