The Quilt by Buck Burch

Last week in Atlanta, we experienced our first frost of the year. I know, many are thinking, “Wow, we’ve already had weeks of snow!” But last week’s weather reminded me of a special event in our life about 4 years ago.

In early 2007, the ladies of Byron Baptist Church contacted us with a question of how they could bless us as their missionaries. Some churches sent things in the mail that we passed on to our Russian colleagues or new believers. Others prayed intensely for our ministry. We appreciated each effort our supporting churches made to be a blessing to us. Unfortunately, Leslie and I had already experienced the disappointment on numerous occasions when churches sent care packages to Russia. Some packages made it; some came with things missing.We even had one package of little cards written by children in a Sunday School class, but the package arrived 8 months late. That church was so surprised when we finally contacted them to acknowledge receipt; I guess they figured we had just not cared to send our thanks. So, when Byron Baptist asked what they could send, I quickly said, “Don’t send anything; just please pray for us.”

But the ladies were persistent about wanting to do something for us, so I began to think about what could be done. Outside our St. Petersburg apartment a heavy blanket of new snow laid on the ground. I watched shivering Russian children walking to school, and my mind somehow envisioned a warm blanket of God’s love covering the people I saw. At that point, I quickly went to my computer to type our answer to Byron Baptist Church: Would you make us a quilt, a blanket that will represent your love for us and God’s love for the nations? Some might think this was an audacious request, but I really felt like it was the right response.

Only later during the summer of 2007 did I find out the other side to this story. Byron Baptist Church women received our response with shock. Not one among them knew how to quilt.

But with an attitude that can only be described as faithfulness and joy, they brought in an outside consultant to explain the process, and they mobilized their ladies to begin work.

Slowly at first, the work began as the ladies listened intently to what should be done.

Some youth also participated in the design and stitching.

We arrived for our summer stateside assignment in

Georgia In June, and Byron Baptist Church requested I come to preach. After the service we were presented with the most beautiful quilt I’ve ever seen in my life.

On the reverse side of the quilt, prayers were written out with signatures of those who labored to produce this masterpiece.

The quilt is still the centerpiece of our bedroom, and each morning we awaken to pull back the cover and read the faithful messages of those

who wanted us covered in prayer and warmth. My prayer for the nations today is that, through the labor of His church, the Lord would gently lay His quilt of grace and salvation.

Thanks for your prayers as I am finishing the final touches on my book. I have a title now. :-) I will let you know what the new developments are soon.
In His Love,
Les

Daily Thoughts:

As a parent am I thinking long-term? Abraham obeyed. He & his CHILDREN were blessed (Gen. 22:15-18)

Lord, I have loved and still love to be where You are (Psa 26:8). To what or whom do I give worth?

"Sneak peek" of my book. What do you think?

What do you think? Here is a sneak peek to the prologue of my book. Do you find this interesting? Would you like to read an honest and transparent account of our story in print (call to missions, experiences in Russia, first-hand ministry moments, homeschooling lessons, cultural adaptation ideas, etc.)? Thanks for your feedback.

In His Love,
Les

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Prologue
"As I sat on the front porch swing at the family home place in the summer months of our furlough in 2007, I glanced at the beautiful landscape in front of me. On many occasions I came to this very spot with a cup of coffee in hand. I reflected on the many blessings that the Lord provided over the past nine years.


The view was breathtaking. Rows and rows of pine trees were planted across the acreage. The pine smell radiated the area and presented a calming effect. How gorgeous was this farming land in a rain storm! As droplets of water fell from the edges of the roof, I looked through the haze of rain and saw the antique farm equipment under an old oak tree. It beautifully decorated the front yard. I did my best to paint a mental picture. Black and picturesque stand the old wagons, a hand plow or two and a piece of an old picket fence. Home.

While contemplating, I grabbed a sheet of scrap paper and wrote down these words:

After returning to your native land, you find home is the same. It never changes, not really. Sure there are a few minor differences, but the overall look and feel is still home as well as the people you hold dear are near. A scene from The Lord of the Rings (2003) series flashed across my thoughts. The event seemed to depict my emotions at that moment. After Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Sam returned to the Shire from their long journey with the ring, they were sitting at a table together in familiar surroundings. They looked around at the well known faces and environment. Then they glanced at one another. Without saying a word, they realized how much they had changed. Possibly no one knew to what magnitude, for only they had experienced the journey. They had changed inwardly. The incidences that they lived through were irremovable. However, home was still the same.

Outwardly I look like the same Leslie, but inwardly I am new. Others may never know the extent of my journey. The trek has been worth it all, for I needed the transformation. What I have seen and have experienced will always be on the forefront of my mind. In Russian the word for having lived through a period of time carries a deeper meaning. It does not just mean having lived during a time period but having journeyed through it. The one thing over the years that kept me going, other than my Lord, was the one thing that remained the same or undisturbed— home."
-Journal: The Chosen Path, L. Burch, 2011

Dear Prayer Warriors

Dear Prayer Warriors,
You have not heard from us in several months, but it is not because I have not thought about you. I know you have prayed for us while in Russia and as we began our stateside assignment in Albany at Sherwood Baptist Church. For that we are so thankful. Our time at Sherwood was such a blessing! While in Albany, we took this time to pray for new direction. The Lord showed us that we are to transition from international mission work to state missions at this time. Buck will be working with the Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) in Duluth beginning this Wednesday, June 15, as a lead state missionary in the stewardship department focused on missional giving, so we are moving to Atlanta right now. This transition requires our children to enroll in new schools in Gwinnett County this fall.

Prayer needs: Please pray for Buck’s new ministry and the continued partnership that GBC has with Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Russia. Who knows we may visit Russia again soon on a mission trip from the states. :-) Our parents have struggled with heart issues these past few months; pray for their health. Also, please pray for the children as they become little missionaries in the public schools in Gwinnett County. Lastly, thanks for your prayers concerning my writing. Things are moving forward and I soon will decide how to publish my journal stories.

You can continue to follow our family and ministry “news” on my blog, facebook or twitter. God bless you all! With much love, I write this note.
In His Love,
Les

“Someday your prince will come.”

I was saved at a young age. But a major turning point in my life took place during my college years. At the age of 19, God called me to serve Him. I sensed that God desired for me to be the wife of a man called to full-time Christian service. He also gave me a strong desire for missions. When I spoke of service, I did not know what that entailed, but I knew that God wanted me to support my husband in his role of ministry. At that point I knew the Lord was calling me to be His servant. I only needed the husband to fit the part. I intensely began searching and waiting for the right one. He had to have a strong desire to serve in the ministry.

Of course, I understood that we are to share the Gospel message with others and to be on mission no matter our job title and that God’s desire is for all of us to have a close relationship with Him. I so strongly wanted to share that Christ came to earth and lived as a man to save the lost. This calling was just a defining moment in my life.

When I was pursuing a degree in business, I knew I needed to shift my plans. At this time I was helping manage two ladies clothing stores with my parents. There were several events going on in my life. I juggled managing the stores, attending college, dating, and being involved in church. As I attended church and studied God’s Word, I felt that I needed to fast in order to hear some answers from the Lord. I fasted for a few days, stayed in the Scripture and waited for answers. I only drank through the fast and depended on the Word to supply my hunger needs. I was at work one day and vividly remember as the Lord spoke to me. His voice was not audible, but I knew it was Him.

The Lord helped me know the direction to take in these particular areas of my life. So, when He spoke, I knew to listen and to act without question. For example, I was dating a nice young man at the time, and God specifically “said” for me to end the relationship. I did that day. The Lord told me he was not the man for me. I obeyed even though I fully did not understand everything. I also knew that God wanted me to begin taking Bible courses at a nearby college. I stepped out on faith and enrolled in these classes, too.

The truth is that in the beginning I was trying to plan everything. “I” was trying to put the pieces together. I could not understand how this was to fit into “my” equation of life. Truthfully I wanted the man first so this process of life planning would be easier. I wanted my prince charming to ride up on his horse and take me away. Often getting very desperate, I would go to my mother for advice. She always sang this tune—these promised words: “Someday your prince will come.”


So often we get caught up in the world’s methods, though, for solving our problems that we lose sight of God’s way—pray. So, I continued to seek the partner for me through prayer. I wanted a divinely appointed marriage, and Buck appeared only four months after I submitted to the Lord’s direction. And we married on April 21, 1991.

God is so good! He works in His own timing, not ours. First I needed only to surrender. He put the puzzle together; I only needed to step out of the way and say, “Yes, Lord, whatever You say. I will do.” Faith is a virtue. When my desire to know God’s will is so strong and I depend on the Lord, He will answer and give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4).
The Chosen Path, "a crossroad", L.Burch

Legacy Run for Life 5K at Legacy Park | Albany, Georgia 31721 | Saturday, March 26, 2011 @ 9:15 AM

Legacy Run for Life 5K at Legacy Park | Albany, Georgia 31721 | Saturday, March 26, 2011 @ 9:15 AM

Spiritual Gifts

Where do we see ourselves being useful in the church (body of Christ)? What spiritual gift(s) did the Holy Spirit give you for the building up of the body of Christ? We all fit in somewhere. If I do not use the spiritual gift(s) that God gave me, I feel "spiritually depressed". I want to serve in the area that He chose for me. If I am not using my talents for Him, I become so low that I feel drained spiritually. I listed the gifts below and the references for easy study. What is your gift?

Romans 12: 6-8
• Prophecy
• Service
• Teaching
• Encouragement
• Giving
• Leading/administrating
• Mercy

1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 27-31
• Apostles
• Prophets
• Teachers
• Wisdom
• Knowledge
• Discernment
• Faith
• Workers of miracles (i.e., healing)
• Helps
• Administration
• Speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues

Ephesians 4:11-13
• Apostles (sent one/missionary gift)
• Prophets
• Evangelist
• Pastor/teacher

In His Love,
Les

“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” (Prov. 31:27)

A Homemaker's Responsibility

Thought I'd post a "Daily Chore Schedule" here for you ladies who are doing your best to take care of your household. I have shared this schedule with many friends in hopes that we can all benefit from one another's ideas. It seems to be helpful.


This is what I do to make my home a better place to enjoy:
Basically I do one or two jobs a day to keep the house in order. That way I don't get tired, and the house is always clean. Only a fast “touch up” is needed for company. :-)

Mon- Gather trash in every room of the house. (Of course, kitchen trash is taken out daily [Thanks to the men in the fam!]).; Change sheets on bed in master bedroom

Tues- Vacuum entire house; Spray house with air freshener

Wed- Clean bathrooms (I only have two baths. If more than two, maybe add another bath to Tuesday’s chores); Mop the entire house

Thurs- Deep clean kitchen sink, stovetop and counters; Quickly wipe out frig.

Fri- Dust the house; Change sheets on kids' beds

Sat/Sun rest

*I usually wash and fold two loads of clothes a day (family of five). Everyone puts up their pile immediately!
*Helpers: Assign age appropriate jobs when possible to children. Call on helpers to assist with everyday jobs like dinner dishes, sweeping the kitchen floor after supper or unloading the dishwasher in the mornings.
*Declutter a little as you go each week. Don’t get “bogged down” in one room; remember you are coming around again the next week. ;-) After a month, you will notice a difference.
Hope this helps. Tackle your responsibilities with joy. Sing praises to Him while you work. Happy Choring!
In His Love,
Les
“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” (Prov. 31:27)

feeling of nostalgia

God wants everybody to be saved and come to truly know Him. (1Timothy 2:4)

Sometimes Americans find themselves having a feeling of nostalgia when they live in a foreign country that has a McDonald’s. There are times when a family just needs a hamburger and French-fries. However, in this incident I had a purely Russian experience under the “Golden Arches” and praise God for it.

Our family attended a Russian Baptist Church on the south side of St. Petersburg this past Sunday. We walked and traveled by metro train for about an hour for Buck to have the opportunity to preach and for our family to worship with one of the four Russian Baptist Union churches in a city populated with 4.7 million. Before the service a gentleman approached me whom I assumed to be a believer and asked me to meet with him and his two daughters to help with English as a second language. One of the daughters attends a university in Saint Petersburg. She was having a written exam on Thursday of this week, and the father was concerned for his daughter’s learning and asked me to dialog with her. We exchanged phone numbers to set up a meeting time and place.

Two days later Buck talked with the father, and I met the family at McDonald’s on Wednesday. Sitting down to eat, I noticed that they did not ask a blessing; therefore, I suggested that we pray before we eat. I began to notice certain things that were indicators that possibly they were not believers. After our prayer, we began introducing ourselves. This family is from Murmanskaya oblast, one of the most northern regions of Russia located to the right of Finland by the White Sea. The father is visiting the oldest daughter attending the university. The youngest daughter will be coming to live in Saint Petersburg next year.

Immediately I remembered Buck casually saying, “Leslie, this may be a witnessing opportunity for you because the girls may not be saved.” I had the privilege for an hour before we started speaking in English to give a gospel presentation in Russian. I finished by asking specific, culturally based questions about beginning a personal relationship with God.

Then three miracles took place. The father, Anatolly, his elder daughter Anna, and his younger daughter, DeAnna, prayed to begin a relationship with the Father on the top floor at a middle table in McDonald’s. Wednesday, July 24, 2002, only twelve days before we leave the country for stateside assignment, God allowed me to have the privilege to share with the people of this area about Him and see three new children born into His family. Praise God people can find the Old Rugged Cross anywhere, even under the Golden Arches that day. (A Winter’s Path, 2003, devotion 16)
In His Love,
Les

“I feel fine. I want to keep running.”- Devotion

Do I need to slow down a bit? What happened to taking things one step at a time? To be honest sometimes I rush into a matter, am naïve or lack good judgment. A wise person thinks before acting. Every move we make is vital; every word we say counts.

I was exercising the other day with Buck at the gym. We were running side by side on treadmills. Buck has been my trustworthy exercise coach for about 10 years now. The digital reading on the treadmill kept asking for my heart rate every few seconds. I was frustrated that I had to place my hands on the handrails for a check so often. I wanted to jog along at the pace with which I was familiar without disturbance. Guess what? My heart rate was too fast. I was not in the target zone. I had to slow down. I did not feel like I needed to reduce my speed though. I looked at my coach and said, “I feel fine. I want to keep running.” He quickly made me aware that my legs may be in better shape than my heart. Wow, that stung! Exercising is about the long term effect—good health, not immediate results—completing the workout. I had to pace myself.

I would have to say sometimes I also lose site of the healthiest way to do things spiritually, because personal desire overrules godly logic. The two can be effectively intertwined only when we intently seek to know His desire and timing. Occasionally I move in too quickly. I do not want my actions, even the good ones, to get ahead of God’s perfect will. It may mean that I need to pause a second and not be afraid of slowing down—monitoring the situation—before I proceed or thinking before I speak—silence. “I wisdom dwell with prudence…” (Proverbs 8:12).
In His Love,
Les
Jan 2011