Bea Inspired

Grace...

2012-01-18T16:11:00.003-06:00

You breathe different in a room when you know it’s not about the good you can accomplish but about the grace you can accept.
- Ann Voskamp (read the full post here)

I read this quote several months ago and it has stuck with me. How true it is...when I am with friends who have extended grace, who know my heart, who have walked through the valleys with me and I with them...I breathe more freely, more peacefully, more forgiven. I've had the blessing of having some sweet friends for many years who have always had a lot of grace to give when I desperately needed it....my life is richer for knowing them and because of their love. And by giving their gift of grace, I've been drawn closer to the heart of God and closer to realizing the full extravagance of His grace.

Grace is priceless. And so are they.

Carols...

2011-12-09T11:37:00.003-06:00

I have my devotionals on my phone through YouVersion...which I enjoy because it is handy just anytime I need a fresh word from the Lord. For the past couple of weeks I've been doing a devotional centered around Christmas and the words from various Christmas songs. It is an understatement to say that I love Christmas music. And I may or may not have begun listening to said music on Pandora on November 1st...because I like to drag out the Christmas season as looooong as possible!

Recently, with MUCH joy, I discovered a fantastic Christmas album that is available for FREE on iTunes and which I can stream at work...and fell in l-o-v-e with their version of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" (sung by the oh, SO talented Marcy Priest Jackson) Now, to be honest, I'm not sure that I had ever even heard this particular carol...but the words are just perfect for this season...

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

What words! And what amazing joy and expectation and promise...freedom, release from fear and sin, REST! Everything I find myself needing so much in this busy season...

Go have a listen...I hope you enjoy it too!

Thanksgiving...

2011-11-23T11:04:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I read about a new app for Thanksgiving. Really, more to help us in our thanks giving. It is connected to the book, One Thousand Gifts, by author and blogger Ann Voskamp. I haven't yet read the book, and was just recently introduced to Ann's blog via the Ecuador Compassion bloggers trip...but I'm excited to read it and very excited to utilize this app. I think it will be a fun thing to do through the upcoming stress-filled holiday season!

From Ann's blog on incourage.me:

Because Thanksgiving is more than holiday–
It’s the Way to Wake up to Really, Fully Living

The One Thousand Gifts App is our free gift to you this Thanksgiving… making life application of giving thanks everyday easier — and making life transformation an everyday reality.

Wherever you are, count your blessings, collect gifts, count it all joy. Because there’s no way to enter into His courts but through the gates of Thanksgiving — and it’s only in His presence is fullness of Joy!

The free app makes everyday Thanksgiving:
Launches with a quote from One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are
Invites you to chronicle a gift with text or with photo.
Automatically chronologically counts and date stamps your gifts.
Allows you to search your gifts, scroll through your gifts, and share your gifts — via email, Facebook or Twitter. Stand in the assembly and give Him thanks, give Him glory! We were made for this!
Scroll through the #1000gifts Twitter Stream and read a symphony of thanksgiving to God!

Count Gifts — and know You can count on God…
Wherever thanks is possible… joy is always possible.

Download the free app at iTunes and for android

Compassion...

2011-11-09T15:58:00.000-06:00

I feel like people (tap, tap, tap...is anyone really there?) who visit my blog MUST get tired and/or bored of the way I push Compassion and other organizations. I realize that not everyone is burdened in the same way I am about the same things I'm burdened by. BUT....it's as plain as day, right there in the Scripture:

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:27

We are called to care. And there are so many, many ways to do this. I know there are organizations in our own cities and churches...but I love that Compassion offers a way to serve people in countries who do not have the many resources that are offered in America available to them. And I love, love, love that Compassion partners with local churches in these countries, so that the assistance that is given to these children is woven in with their community and presented with the love of God.

There are a few well-known, much-read bloggers on a Compassion trip in Ecuador right now. They write far more eloquently than I can about what a difference $38 can make in the life of a child. Please read what they have to say:

Sponsor a child.

Sweet Exchange...

2011-10-18T12:38:00.004-05:00

I am loving these lyrics this week...and just thought I would share! From "Lay it Down" by Matt Maher. Feeling pretty grateful this week for the sweet exchange of grace for my sin...

Everything I am
Everything I long to be
I lay it down at Your feet

Oh pearl of greatest price
No act of sacrifice
Can match the gift of life I find within Your gaze
Oh, what a sweet exchange
I die to rise again
Lifted up from the grave into Your hands of grace

Depraved Indifference...

2011-10-14T14:49:00.001-05:00

I know the video is a little long...but it is worth the time.

I have started to think about Christmas already!! It's my favorite holiday and I'm counting down the days until Thanksgiving so I can bust out all the Christmas decor! My family and I have decided to forgo gifts for the adults this year and instead pool our money and let the kids purchase gifts from the Compassion Gift Catalog. There are some very inexpensive gifts listed that will make an immediate and eternal difference in lives around the world. Here are a few other organizations that benefit orphans, widows, the oppressed and the underresourced.

Charity: Water
Baptist Global Response Drought Relief
World Vision Gift Catalog
A21 Campaign

Prayer...

2011-08-22T11:14:00.001-05:00

"May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
Bless Your name, bless Your name, Jesus
And the deeds of the day and the truth in my ways
Speak of You, speak of You, Jesus

For this is what I'm glad to do
It's time to live a life of love that pleases You
And I will give my all to You
Surrender everything I have and follow You
I'll follow You"
-Christy Nockels

Worldview...

2011-08-09T12:00:00.001-05:00

I read a tweet recently that really stuck in my head. It's hard for 140 characters to do that...but this gal I've never met said "My world-view is shrinking...it's time to leave America again."

I've spent much of the summer consumed in my work...and although it is good work and work in which I seek to honor the Lord and bring glory to His name, it sometimes causes me to get wrapped up in my own world. I'm working on that, asking the Lord constantly to refine that part of me that is too easily distracted and wrapped up in my own desires.

And I've been asking him to help me remember that outside of MY world there is a WHOLE world of people who are suffering. I know that there are people here in my own city who lack food and shelter and clothing, and I have friends who are suffering from lack of work, lack of rain for their farms, lack of feed for their cattle...it goes on and on.

And, I know that there is an entire continent that is suffering from drought and malnourishment so severe that it is simply too foreign a thought for me to fully grasp and comprehend. This is particularly heavy on my heart, as Kenya is affected...and since it is, so are the precious kids I met in December and my sweet Compassion kid, Duncan.

I don't have solutions to all these issues. But I don't want to become so calloused and self-involved that I forget my calling to, at the very least, PRAY and possibly give more or serve these who are suffering. I write a lot about ways to help orphans, because that is a burden on my heart. I hope I never make any readers (the five of you!) feel bad or guilty or anything other than encouraged and possibly inspired.

I could rattle off a VERY lengthy list of organizations and blogs that offer much more information and inspiration than I'm able to...but below are just two. And, I would just ask that you join me in praying for God to provide and for Him to make ways for His glory to be known in Africa and in America, because worse than the physical hunger that is gripping our world, is the need for salvation.

THIS post offers a way to help with 100% of proceeds forwarded to NGOs that are able to help East African nations.

AMAZIMA MINISTRIES A young lady that has simply followed God's leading in her life and is making an enormous difference in the lives of an entire community in Uganda. Read her blog HERE. Beware, though...it is challenging stuff and makes me cry everytime I read it.

Thanks :)

Poor...

2011-07-08T15:46:00.000-05:00

Excerpt from the blog of Nicki Koziarz.

"Spiritual poverty brings us to a place where God’s character really shines.

When we don’t need a high-five from God, when we don’t need to feel important, we when don’t need to be heard, when we know we are seated at a table where we really don’t belong…this is where God meets us in our poverty.

He will meet me in this unlikely place. Less of me, less of my ways, less of my thoughts, less of my opinions."

Go. Read the rest HERE.

Summertime...

2011-06-02T11:38:00.000-05:00

We are busily preparing for a CRAZY two months of camp, camp, camp and a few other events. It's easy for me to get really overwhelmed with tasks that need to be accomplished...and despite the fact that we have excellent volunteers and the most amazing interns ever, I can lean heavily on the side of self-sufficiency. To be honest, I'm a control-freak when it comes to details. There, I said it! Anyway, these two reminders are what I'm clinging onto today...and I thought they were worth a share.

This is my memory verse for the next two weeks. Pretty good timing on this one!
"Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God..."
2 Corinthians 3:5 (ESV)

And the following was posted on my sweet friend Sarah's facebook today.
"Jesus says 'If you come to Me, I will take your exhaustion and uncertainty and turn it into a calm expectation."
Matthew 11:28 paraphrase/Prov. 31 Woman devotion

Happy, Happy Summer to ALL!

Plant and Grow...

2011-04-26T10:40:00.001-05:00

I am always a sucker for gift ideas that are lasting and make an impact in the lives of others. Today I read about a cool idea for Mother's Day that I thought was definately worth sharing!
(To read more about this idea, click any of the links or visit the Bottomly blog, the source of the following information!)

80% of the poor in sub saharan Africa are rural farmers, and 75% of their children go hungry.

The Grow Campaign will support local farmers in Kenya through their partner organization, Kickstart.

Kickstart has developed an enterprise that sells affordable irrigation pumps. These pumps greatly increase a farmers yield, which means food for their families and a surplus they sell to generate income (this can increase their income by 1000%).

To support these farmers, they found the perfect gift-

PLANTABLE GREETING CARDS!

After you read it, you plant it, water it and it blooms in 3-4 weeks. Now you can "send flowers" for Mothers Day (May 8th), and help Kickstart support a farmer in Kenya!

Love these beautiful Kenyan faces :)

Open hands...

2011-04-25T14:14:00.000-05:00

I have no real great news or thoughts to post on here...and haven't in awhile. But, I came across this great quote and thought it was worth sharing. This is something I hope to become better at this year.

"I have learned to hold all things loosely, so God will not have to pry them out of my hands."
Corrie ten Boom

You Are For Me...

2011-03-08T11:42:00.000-06:00

Driving home from a great visit with the sweet Behymer family (of FOUR!), I heard this song on a station that I rarely, if ever, tend to listen to. It's not new, but it was the first time I had heard it and I really love the lyrics...because sometimes I really need to be reminded of these things.

So faithful, so constant and so true
So powerful in all You do
You fill me, You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to You

I know that You are for me,
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness
And I know that You have come now
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who You are

So patient, so gracious, so merciful and true
So wonderful in all You do
You fill me, You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to You

Lord, I know that You are for me,
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness
And I know that You have come now
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are

LOVE...

2011-02-14T09:15:00.000-06:00

I'm totally loving this song right now:

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Twenty-Eleven

2011-01-01T14:52:00.000-06:00

2010 was such a great year for me! I'm so thankful for the sweetest friends, old and new, that anyone could have, for an incredible job that I love...and for the amazing opportunities that the Lord provides for me. As I drove to Oklahoma for Christmas, I was just overwhelmed by God's goodness. Not just in His provision, but in every single breath He's given me. I'm striving in 2011 to consistantly live in that state of being overwhelmed with gratitude.

I usually don't make resolutions for fear of failure. But this year I'm committing to memorizing scripture. It has become a burden to me that many of the attitudes of my heart and actions of my life would be changed if I spent more time contemplating the Word of God and pondering that in my heart, instead of being so caught up in my own thoughts. Beth Moore has a Scripture Memory Team...and I'm copying her. If you want to join me...just let me know! I'd be happy to have some company in this committment!

I'm excited for a new year...for new adventures...and for whatever things the Lord has in store for each of us!

And because I'm more than completely in love with the kids in Kenya....

Our whole group :)

Happy kids playing games...love these laughing faces!

"I'm home anywhere if you are where I am..." Rich Mullins

Processing Kenya...

2010-12-20T11:06:00.000-06:00

Kenya was incredible. I have so much to share, but I just can't seem to get it all thought out enough to post anything that will be coherant. And every day that I'm home I think of something else that happened or the Lord points out some other lesson I need to learn from my time there. I'll probably do a few posts over on the KENYA 2010 section (click the link at the top of the page) with WAY more photos than anyone will want to see. In the meantime and until I can collect all my thoughts, here are a few pictures of the precious kids I met. They stole my heart completely. And as they would say "Asante sana" (thank you very much) for all your prayers!

Justine and Maxwell (both 11)

Justine hopes to be a doctor when is is older.
He quizzed me daily on my Swahili words and phrases!

Maxwell would like to be a pastor.

He told me "I wish to share the Word of God with people."
I believe they both will be great at what they dream of doing!

Mike (8) and his "sweetie"...he loved this lollipop!
This kid had the most precious eyes and the funniest giggle!

My small group girls (L to R):
Purity (10), Petronilla (8), Diana (10), Morrine (10), Leah (10)
They were the most hilarious group of girls. We did our group time with no translator.
I thought we all did very well understanding one another!

Humphreys (twin brother of Purity)...
he was so sleepy that he fell asleep watching the other kids
play games on my iPhone!
This was one of my favorite moments with him :)

Kenya, here I come...

2010-11-29T14:49:00.001-06:00

One week from today, I will have been on a plane for a very long time headed to Kenya! It's quite a trip, with three flights and a bus ride :) WHEW! I'm pretty excited, although it seems really surreal at this moment. Like, am I REALLY going to Africa?!

I have a vivid memory of thinking as a child that Africa was sooooo far away. Which it is...but in my head it was nearly as far as the moon! And as a young teenager I remember praying "God, I'll do whatever you want me to do and go wherever you want me to go...but I really don't think you'll ever send me to Africa." It makes me giggle that for some reason I thought Africa was like this unattainable place to go...too far to travel to in any reasonable way. Funny how much smaller the world seems with all the technology that has been developed since I was a little girl listening to "We are the World" and watching National Geographic shows about wildlife in Africa. I mean, goodness....I just added an international text plan to my phone so I can text people. From AFRICA! Also, there is an app to learn Swahili on my phone! I spent the weekend teaching my little sister and nephews how to count to 10 and say several phrases in a language that I never could have imagined I would be attempting to speak! Such fun!

Please pray as the Lord brings Africa to your mind...and click the link above (Kenya 2010) for updates and more specific prayer requests if you are interested! Asante, rafiki! (Yeah...those aren't just made up words from The Lion King!)

Balloons and the Land of Enchantment...

2010-10-27T16:39:00.000-05:00

Weeks later, and I have decided to blog about Girls Trip 2010! Last year, only my friend Jenn and I were able to make the trip. We went to NYC at Christmastime and it was magical, relaxing and super fun!

This year, we added our friend Daysha to the mix and decided to road trip to Albuquerque for their huge annual Balloon Fiesta. We had a fantastic time! We met up in our hometown, loaded up, headed West on Route 66 and did NOT stop talking until we hit our pillows 8ish hours later :) We don't often get a lot of time together....and certainly not time that is completely uninterrupted and where we are free to do whatever we want!

Our theme for the weekend was flying by the seat of our pants. Seriously, we had very few plans...just ideas of things to do. We shopped, got to have some girl time with our sweet friend Meg (who lives there) and visited with Jenn's aunt and cousin who were so gracious to feed us well and be our tour guides. We ate and ate and ate and did NOT sleep in! Though we all three certainly would have LOVED any extra sleep, we were still on CST and woke up at our regular times....only an hour earlier due to the time change! But, even that made for some fun as we headed out in our jammies and no makeup to view the cool mass ascension of balloons!

Special shape balloons being inflated. The kissy fish was my favorite!

Balloon Glow at night...sooooo cool!
You can walk right up and talk to the pilots in the basket!

Early morning...minus makeup! We WERE asked if we were college students by a cute, friendly older couple :)

Mass Ascension

See the cow balloon? I think they told us that was one of the oldest balloons. And largest.

They passed right over our heads...
and then most landed in the neighborhoods behind us!

We had a wonderful time and plan on returning with our families to the Balloon Fiesta. It really is a must-see thing! And, I'm already thinking on where we could go in 2011!! I'm thankful to the Lord for blessing me with many sweet friendships that have endured the test of time...and only wish we ALL could vacation together sometime :)

Celebrations...

2010-10-13T16:41:00.000-05:00

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press :)

I have realized today that I love celebrations. I especially love the celebration of lives rescued...and goodness, have we gotten to see that today in watching the Chilean miners being pulled one by one from the hole they have been trapped in for 70 days!! I have to say, I've been a little emotional all day long...tearing up each time the rescue basket reached the top and the men were reunited with their families. What a sweet moment for them and their country...and a neat thing to be able to watch from afar.
Click here for a link to the updated list of rescued miners. Lots of interesting information/updates on the rescue effort...and a lot of cool videos of each miner reaching the surface, in case you missed it!
I was also forwarded this neat story of one of the miners. It is the best celebration of all!!!

Again, photo courtesy of the AP.

First Friday in October...

2010-10-01T12:12:00.000-05:00

I have nothing to offer but massive amounts of random today. October is possibly my favorite month. The weather is perfect. I love being able to wear carpis and a long sleeve shirt and be comfy! Pumpkin Spice Lattes are on the menu!! Football is REALLY underway!! Speaking of which:

BOOMER SOONER!

Sorry. I had to.

Anyway, back to fall. I love the colors of this season! And I found this great new nail polish color. In full disclosure, I saw something similar on the Pioneer Woman and it intrigued me. So, on my visit to get my last pedicure of the summer, I choose something WAY out of the ordinary for me (I'm usually a red on the toes, NO polish on the nails gal. PS...these are not my nails.)

It's OPI "Over the Taupe". And I'm in love with it! It's super neutral, has not clashed with anything in my wardrobe...and although I most likely will NOT keep it on my nails forever, I totally love it right now!

Speaking of love, have I ever mentioned my shoe addiction. I have one. I try to keep it controlled, but I do LOVE to window shop. Check out these cuties!

Cord TOMS. I could post a million pictures of Toms because I love them so much. And I love the mission of the company, too.

Sseko Sandals. My co-worker wore these to work earlier this week and I think they are my must have shoe for next summer. You purchase the sole of the shoe with one "tie" and then you just purchase additional ties that you love! They can be worn in a million ways just by lacing and twisting them differently. Cute, cute, cute! And, once again, they have a great mission! Proceeds help send a girl in Uganda to college.

I'm currently on the hunt for a fantastic pair of red ballet flats. Inspired by the cover above. I also want to go through this Bible study. I think the red shoes will give me great motivation and concentration, don't you?! Please feel free to send me links to any and all cute red shoes you find!!! I have determined that they will be my fall gift to myself :)

That's all the random I have for today....I hope you all (all 3 of you that are still reading!) enjoy this great fall weekend!!

More Musicals...

2010-09-27T16:31:00.000-05:00

I promised the last 5 today....so here ya go!
I hope these bring you some Monday fun and laughter...enjoy!
Now, what are your favorite musicals?!

6. Mary Poppins
I had the pleasure...and I mean that...of seeing this on Broadway at Christmas. Favorite thing ever!

7. Annie
My mom permed my hair when I was about 5 or 6 years old. I was a dead-ringer for Annie. I hated it!

8. Guys and Dolls

9. Bye, Bye Birdie

10. My Fair Lady

The Sound of Music(als)...

2010-09-24T10:10:00.000-05:00

Today I woke up with several songs lodged in my brain. Send help. The radio in my head is playing a remix of songs from the musical "Oklahoma!"

I shared this with my co-worker, Karissa, who felt the need to further my conundrum and add to my invisible playlist by sending me YouTube videos of some of the greatest musicals of all time. Which inspired me to do a repeat of the Top Ten movies list....only this time, Top Ten MUSICALS! Really, musicals are my absolute favorite type of entertainment. This time, instead of a quote, I have posted a song from each. Oh, yes! Sing along!

I'll just do 5 today...since I'm including video! Enjoy! I'll be back with 5 more clips on Monday...have a wonderful weekend!

1. Oklahoma! (Of course!)
I love EVERY SINGLE SONG of this musical...so here are two for the price of one!

2. Wicked

3. Meet Me in St. Louis

4. Grease

5. The Sound of Music

Countdown...

2010-09-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

In just two short weeks I will be headed for a weekend full of fun with these two gals:

We have been friends for a long, long time. The fact that this is the most recent picture of us together is a problem...because it was taken at our 10 year high school reunion. I won't say how many years ago that was because I can't add that well and because I would rather not say!! BUT, after I get the kazillion immunizations I need for my Kenya trip the three of us will be loading up and headed to Albuquerque, NM. ROAD TRIP!! Personally, I'm just excited to spend the time in the car together on the way there! We don't often (or ever!) get that many uninteruppted hours of conversation, so that in itself will be worth the trip!

Now, there are several blog-stalkers that I WISH were joining us! I call you that because I know who you are and I stalk your blogs too. Plus we are real-life friends and I can call you what I want to call you! You know who you are. You should just give in...catch a flight and meet us there! You know you want to!!!

This was a completely random post. But, I just made our hotel reservations...and, that made me all kinds of happy!

Just for fun...

2010-09-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Pioneer Woman is having a giveaway and the random question to enter the giveaway is "What is one of your top ten movies of all time?" You should click the link above and enter, because she's giving away a fancy-schmancy camera. On second thought, don't....because I want to win that camera!

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to list my top ten movies of all time and a favorite quote from each one....since she got me thinking and all. Please feel free to tell me your favorites, too!

1. The Blind Side
"Sean and I have been talking and Michael, if you're gonna accept a football scholarship we think it should be to Tennesee. And I promise that I will be at every game cheering for you."
"Every game?"
"Every game. But I will not wear that gaudy orange, I will not. It is not in my color wheel and I'm not gonna wear it."

2. Steel Magnolias
"There's so much static electricity in here, I pick up everything but boys and money."

3. Pride and Prejudice
"If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on." {Insert sigh here...love.}

4. Remember the Titans
"Attitude reflects leadership, Captain."

5. You've Got Mail
"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms."

6. Fried Green Tomatoes
"I found out what the secret to life is: friends. Best friends."

7. Footloose
"I mean we've got TV. We've got Family Feud. We're not stuck in Leave It To Beaver land here."

8. Gone With the Wind
"Great balls of fire. Don't bother me anymore, and don't call me sugar."

9. Top Gun
"Tower, this is Ghost Rider requesting a flyby."
"That's a negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full."

10. Grease
"Peachy keen, jellybean. "

Laughing...

2010-09-14T13:46:00.000-05:00

As was astutely pointed out by a friend recently...I am a blog slacker. I don't blog as often as most (normal) people. And when I do, very often it is about pretty much nothing :)

There is a lack of blog-worthy events in my life right now...and that being the case, I thought maybe I should redirect you to something well worth your time and sure to give you a good laugh!

By suprasheera. Click photo for link to suprasheera.

This picture was entered in the Pioneer Woman's funny photo contest. I think it is so hilarious! You have to click the link to go look at the rest...and, please do it! It will make your day!

And let me just take this moment to say that Pioneer Woman is my hero. The end.

"A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face..." Proverbs 15:13

Rain, rain...

2010-09-02T12:15:00.000-05:00

It's raining today in Texas...which means a tad cooler weather that kinda-sorda-maybe feels like FALL. Not really...but it's a good promise of the crisp weather that is only a few short weeks away (hopefully)!

This weekend, I get to go to Oklahoma to see my sweet friends Daysha, Jeff and the most adorable Lyndon AND we are going to go watch our Sooners win a little football! Which is a fantastic start to my favorite season! And hopefully the cooler weather will prevail...minus the rain!

This is an OLD video. But, I love it and it gets me super excited about lazy fall Saturdays watching football, baking tasty fall treats and cooking up pots of soup and chili!

BOOMER SOONER!

(Or whatever team you love...insert their tag line above. As long as they are in the Big 12, I will root for them this weekend. After that, I make no promises!)

All That I Need...

2010-08-16T16:02:00.000-05:00

I recently linked to a great worship band that I had the honor to meet and serve with a couple of times this summer. Well, the sweet gal in the band, Rachel, has released her first solo album. To be honest, I initially downloaded it because she is a precious lady and I wanted to do something to support their ministry. But...I was kinda blown away! She has an amazing voice....but it's the lyrics that really did me in.

The lyrics from her song "All That You Are" hit me in the soul last week and are stuck there. I often find that I am exhausted to the core after a busy summer; frustrated with myself because I tend to fall in the trap of working and serving out of my own abilities instead of really relying on the sufficiency of God in my life. And then these lyrics come along to remind me of the Savior God who is really all that I need...

"I have strayed far enough to see
I am not enough for me
This hole is my soul is shaped just like you
But I've filled it with less more than a time or two
Now I've come to my end, I'm empty again
All I know to do is finally surrender
And run home to my Savior
Turn back to the time when I first believed
That all that you are is all that I need"

Go. Download her music. You will love it.
(You can click the picture to be taken to her website. Or search "Rachel Ruth" on iTunes)

In other random news...
I'm going to KENYA!!! My cube-buddy, Sheryl, has talked and talked to me for over a year about this great trip her church makes to serve orphans in Kenya...and, a spot just happened to open up for THIS December! I'm very excited to be able to go with them...if you've read much of my blog you know that my heart really is burdened for orphans across the globe and I'm just beside myself with excitement! We will serve these precious kids (many of whom are afflicted with the AIDS virus) who are being raised in foster homes provided by Buckner International. Our team will gather them each day for Bible stories, games, crafts and lots more fun!

Please pray for me as you think of my preparation for this trip. I have to get almost ALL the shots known to man. My trip to Wales did not require anything more than our most typical childhood vaccinations...but for Africa you have to get the whole shabang as far as shots and medication is concerned. I also need to raise some funds, which I'm much less worried about than the shots! Also, begin praying that hearts in Kenya will be ripe to hear the message of God's love, that God will prepare me for this journey and that I will be particularly sensitive to this new culture. Thanks in advance!

Summer...

2010-08-09T12:06:00.000-05:00

Whew! I have had a crazy busy summer...and especially the last two weeks! I won't bore you all with all the details, but I did want to give a shout-out to some of the cool people we have been able to hang with so you can check them out!

Branch

Fantastic worship band! And....even more fantastic friends! They are talented and cool and have the most sweet hearts. Download their music on iTunes...you will not be disappointed!

Dutton

Again...super cool worship band. Fun guys. Love their music....you will too. And, read their story here. They are really GREAT guys!

We also got to rock out with David Crowder Band, Tenth Avenue North and Remedy Drive. I enjoyed all of their shows (well, as much as one can with a headset in one ear running between back stage, registration and the green room!) and think they are all a good listen on iTunes or the radio!

The "blonde bombshells" at one of our summer events...relaxing after a LONG day and listening to some entertaining acts. No event would be complete without their amazing help!

This past weekend we enjoyed being able to work with churches in McAllen, TX for a student evangelism conference. It was our first time to be with these churches and I so look forward to visiting them again. I have never been that close to the border before...and our new friends, Joaquin and Jessica, took us across to do a little shopping! I was amazed to just WALK into another country. It was interesting...you pay a quarter to go through a turn stile and then a quarter to get back (though you have to go into a customs area and present your ID and such on the way back in). It just cracked me up! We got some yummy vanilla and some pretty $10 pedicures!

It was a really fun way to end this crazy summer!

On our way back IN to the USA :) Slightly nervous without our passports!

Grief...

2010-07-20T12:17:00.000-05:00

I happened upon a link to a series of articles that I thought were important to store away as information. I've hurt with friends before and walked with families who were grieving...and been a grieving family member. And although these articles are nothing new under the sun...I think they are good reminders of how we can love others through their tragedies.

So, click...read....store away. :)

Wales...

2010-06-30T09:47:00.001-05:00

One year ago I was on my very first overseas trip...and my very first mission trip. Something reminded me of that today...but really, I've been thinking about it for a few days. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I never posted pictures, so here are a few random ones:

Pretty building we passed every day on our walk to the train station

The train we took from Cardiff to Swansea...
about a 45 minute ride each morning and afternoon.

My most important "job" was to count heads ALL THE TIME...
so, I'm pretty sure that's why I look like I'm concentrating.
And why I needed lots of Diet Coke,
which did NOT really taste the same there.

Welcome to Swansea!

Cool fountain in the City Centre area where we talked with locals.

Huge screen in the City Centre where people were gathering to watch Wimbledon!

The mall :)

My group of students.

On our last day we got to sight see in Cardiff.
This is a cool area on the bay.

Sarah Pope and I had lunch at this neat Turkish restaurant on the water.

I have sooo many more pictures I could share...but, I'll stop here! Feeling kind of wistful today and missing Wales in a strange way. Please pray for our friends who live in Wales as the work continues in Cardiff, Swansea and the surrounding areas...and pray for the teams of students who are on the ground and serving in those areas the next two months....that many hearts would be open and receptive to the Hope they have to share.

Scorpions...

2010-06-14T11:28:00.001-05:00

We (as in, the place I work) hosted our first youth camp last week. My super boss came up with the idea for this really fantastic camp experience. I have to say that his vision was amazing and the camp went off (almost) without a hitch!

I absolutely LOVED meeting all the youth leaders who I have been communicating with this past year! They are a fun group of people...and really filled a giant void in my heart that was left when I moved away from all the youth guys that I love in Oklahoma. And the students were what students are....silly, crazy, funny and full of energy! I enjoyed them so, so much....and most importantly got to see many of them choose to follow Christ!

And, on the first day at camp, before 8 am...I had a scorpion crawling on my leg. In the shower. Oh. My. Goodness.
In all the slight panic that ensued, I did NOT get a photo....but trust me, it was scary. Hilariously scary.

Happy Mom's Day...

2010-05-09T08:14:00.000-05:00

(photo by the amazing Kelly Beane Photography)

My mom is a pretty fantastic lady. She essentially raised three kids alone in her twenties (my brother is missing from the above pic...but, he's just not as pretty as us girls!) By the time she was my age, I was in middle school and she was trying to juggle keeping us fed and happy with furthering her education so she could provide for us. I will never forget the day she graduated from junior college. I think I was in 7th grade. I wore one of her dresses and I took pictures of her all day because I was so proud. At 50, she has once again juggled raising her fourth child with pursuing education. She recently finished her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and is continuing on to get her Masters.

I don't think we tell her we appreciate her as much as we should. So, MOM...later when you are stalking my blog...I love you and I'm so proud of you. Thanks for all you've done to make sure I have a wonderful life.

On another note close to our hearts, I am reminded today of the mass number of children still waiting in orphanages, foster homes and bad situations for a mother to love them. There are over 140 million orphans worldwide & over 500,000 waiting children in the US. If you have read this far, please take the time to ask the Lord what He would have your family do about this great need. The Bible mandates our action...and I think it's time for the church to do what the church should have been doing all along. Please visit any of the sites below for more information about how you can help or possibly bring a sweet child into your family.

Embrace (A mission to reclaim the care of orphans by the church)
Show Hope
How to Adopt
Compassion International

Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
James 1:27

Well Said...

2010-04-19T09:37:00.001-05:00

My sweet friend, Mackenzie Baily, wrote the best summary of the feelings we all have about this day in our near-history. She said it better than I could have:

"Hard to believe it's been 15 years. Remembering God's goodness in the midst of tragedy, and how thankful I am to be an Oklahoman today."

I completely agree.

Quiet...

2010-04-09T23:38:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since I blogged anything important or inspiring...mainly because I don't have anything to say that would fall into either of those categories! But, I thought I should say SOMETHING since tonight I am staying in a comfy hotel with free wifi :)

This week I have been challenged by the transparency of a friend. I met this amazing lady on a trip overseas. She and her family live in another country and endeavor to live out their lives for the sake of the gospel and of sharing it with the nations. Sometimes I think those of us who know people like her expect that they are on some kind of higher plane than us as far as what they do or do not struggle with. Or maybe that was just me! I have SO enjoyed her honesty as she details (on her blog) the struggles she has with feeling inadequate and insecure, of being unsure of how the Lord can use her gifts and even of all the fear she allows to creep in from time to time.

See, I'm not that transparent. I used to think I was. But in the last year I have found that I very much like living behind my smiley face mask. I like to project to pretty much everyone, that my life is a perfect thing. Not that I'M perfect...but that my life is just peaches and cream and suunshiny things. And...well, it just isn't all the time! Sometimes it's more messy than spiritual and it's definatly NEVER perfect. Some days I feel like a massive failure or a whiney ungrateful child!

So, in response to the inspiration I feel when I read my friend's blog...I hope to become more transparent. Maybe on my blog...maybe just in person with those closest to me. But, I deeply desire to live my life with the same kind of transparency as my friend...knowing that it will result in a much closer relationship with the Lord and with my friends.

That's all I have tonight. Not all that inspiring. But, I sat in the hot tub and now I'm sleepy :)

Blog makeover...

2010-03-29T12:49:00.000-05:00

I need one. If you have the slightest desire to redesign my blog...please let me know. I will be forever grateful!! :)

Pure Praise...

2010-03-21T00:06:00.000-05:00

Praying for the family of Kevin Walker. I'm not sure any words I can type about him will do justice to the legacy of faith he has left with anyone who had the honor of sitting under his teaching or worshipping with him. He taught me much about the purest praise of our sweet Savior and even in my sadness, I can't help but rejoice at the thought of him singing his sweet heart-songs to the Father tonight.

"Praise rises up to You, from the bottom of my heart
My lips exalt Your name, from the depths of my soul
None in heaven or on earth will ever equal my God
I have tasted, I have seen
And I will never be the same
I'll never be the same
All my guilt, all my shame
Forever forgotten, forgiven
Your mercy and Your grace made a way,
Made this change
All because of You, Lord
I'll never be the same"

"All my fountains are in You, You are real life
All my fountains are in You, You satisfy every longing of my heart
My thirst for more is through
Sweet Living Water flow
All my fountains are in You"

Jewelry can still be purchased here to assist his family during this time.

Hope...

2010-03-07T08:38:00.001-06:00

Hope came home,
Home to me today,
And fear has run the other way.
And words are weak;
They don't know how to say,
"You know I still believe in You."
And should my dreams fall through,
I will be safe with You.
So with every breath I can breath,
I'll sing about how You love me.
I'll sing about how You love me.
- Bebo Norman

I love this short little song. Last week I posted a quote from it on Facebook, which somehow garnered some of the strangest comments (which have been deleted) concerning MY dreams. It irritated me for several reasons, but mostly because I felt like the point was being missed!

I think we all could say we have had some of our dreams fall through in life. I mean, none of us are living in castles and driving pink Barbie convertables, right?! And while some of you who read this are at wonderful places in your lives, others are maybe in waiting places. And I think that is where these lyrics speak the most.

Whether you are living in your dream or waiting for your dreams to come true...the best part is just knowing that no matter what, we are safe in the hands of our Maker, True Love and Closest Friend...the One who saved us and gave us a reason to dream!

"Safe with you..." No matter what dreams come true or what dreams fall through.

Today...

2010-02-28T08:09:00.001-06:00

Psalm 119:169
(from The Message paraphrase)

"Let my cry come right into your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word. Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise.

Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, you've taught me the truth about life! And let your promises ring from my tongue; every order you've given is right. Put your hand out and steady me since I've chosen to live by your counsel.

I'm homesick, God, for your salvation; I love it when you show yourself!
Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul.

And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me! I will recognize your voice!"

Buckets of Hope

2010-02-03T16:14:00.000-06:00

From the North American Mission Board:

The “Buckets of Hope” ministry is just one means by which Baptists can fulfill the mandate of Jesus Christ to feed the hungry in the name of Jesus.

A “Bucket of Hope” consists of a plastic five-gallon bucket packed with selected foodstuffs. For approximately $30 anyone can purchase the materials and assemble a "Bucket of Hope." The food contained in a single bucket will feed a Haitian family for a week. You are also requested to include a $10 cash contribution, placed in an envelope and attached to the lid of the bucket, to offset the cost of transporting the relief buckets to Haiti.

Every bucket must be exactly alike with a specific list of items inside. Please follow the detailed instructions carefully. This will ensure that every bucket quickly passes through customs and into the hands of the Haitian people.

Contact your Baptist State Convention office for delivery dates and instructions. Then put a bucket together and you can be a part in touching the lives of tens of thousands of Haitians.

For more information and to download a pdf file with packing instructions, please visit:
Buckets of Hope - NAMB.net

L-O-V-E

2010-02-02T15:38:00.000-06:00

It is February and the month of all lovey-dovey things....and I always find stuff on the (In)Courage site that encourages (ha!) me. Because someone else wrote what I feel in a MUCH better way than I could, I'm re-posting this love story:

"He was always around, a family friend.
When I was only seven, I knew he was the one for me.
Strong and gentle, good and true.
Later I questioned. Weren’t there more appealing options in the world?

I became distant. Broke his heart. But still he stayed.
One day I realized, there’s no better love.
I came back for good.

When I think of us now, it’s a jumble of memories, moments,good times and hard.
Sometimes I wonder how he puts up with me.
But he loves me, CRAZY loves me, in a way I can hardly understand.

When I think of all that’s best in me, I see him.
He’s chased my heart every step of my life.
This is my love story--

messy, glorious…
simply Divine."

Guard My Life...

2010-01-12T10:29:00.001-06:00

One of the best worshippers I have had the honor of knowing is Kevin Walker. I'm sure the three of you that read my blog (ha!) have wonderful memories of spring breaks spent worshipping with him. I, in fact, have not missed a spring break with this man since 1995. Those camps have always been my favorite...but in the last few years, those camps and time spent with Kevin have become more precious and refreshing. He has always been a "life-breather" to me...someone who just exudes the pure love of Christ and is always, always lifting me up. I've been blessed by him and his teaching has greatly impacted the way I walk in relationship with the Lord. His music has imbedded scripture in my heart. And, no matter what "new" music comes out, his songs and cd's remain my favorite and the most listened to and most stirring music on my iPod.

If you are not already aware and praying, Kevin is fighting a battle with cancer. I have been inspired and challenged reading his CaringBridge site (you will need to create a username and password...but you will be blessed!)

I received an update from his ministry, WalkIt, with a great way to give to and bless the Walker's as they travel through this hard journey. An artist in Colorado has created a collection of jewelry using a line from one of my favorite Walker songs and will be donating the profits to Kevin and Julie. I think the pieces are so cool...and such a great way to help!

(Click the picture to visit her website).

Ramblings...

2009-12-31T09:15:00.000-06:00

2009 has been QUITE a year!! I blogged last year about looking forward to all the "new things" that the Lord had planned...but I don't really think I was prepared for all that would mean! It has most certainly been a wonderful adventure.

I survived turning 30 (it wasn't so bad!), flew twice as many times this year as in my whole life combined (over the ocean, TWICE), developed a love of travel and of NYC, made new friends in a new city, learned to navigate a big city and many airports and made a home for myself away from "home." It has been a crazy busy year and a year of great adjustment, a year of learning some new things about myself and new things about the Lord and His great, patient and overwhelming love. And I'm quite excited to see what 2010 has in store for all of us!!!

Of course, I can't help but share something I read online lately. I have found it easy in the last year to become homesick for Oklahoma. Not because I don't love where I am, but because I crave all the comfort that is found in a town where you are known and loved and where friendships run deep and plentiful. And inevitably, in my most homesick moment, I happen across words that are challenging and true and remind me of all the things that tug at my heart (click here for the entire article):

"...I’m realizing that I was really born into homesickness for the heart of God.

So I go there, as best I can in this people skin, to what is at His heart—to the God whose throne sits on my own heart, and I ask what keeps me from craving the comfort He offers. Why do I not call my heart His home and run to Him who is within me, right where I am?

And I know the answer immediately. Sometimes I don’t believe I can be “sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things” (2 Corinthians 6:10). What the Spirit calls comfort is not what I call it, my giving my all, my whole complete self,

and I don’t give my all because those who are at His heart are the poor, the ones standing outside our gates: the ones two doors down who can't pay their bills; the ones fly-faced on commercials; the ones rocking alone in a nursing home or on the street with a paper-bagged bottle; the ones begging for milk in my own kitchen.

Where I am serving the God of the Universe in His Greatness, where I am giving Him my all, neck-deep in the incomprehensibly dirty, it is there I am overwhelmed with the tastes and sounds of home. And there, at His heart, is my only fit. In my realizing my own lowly position within my Royal heart-home, I realize contentment..."

A Christmas Reminder...

2009-12-23T23:19:00.000-06:00

I know it's been FORRRR-EVVV-ERRRR since I've blogged. And I have some great NYC pictures to share...BUT, the following reminder is so very important.

While stuck in traffic today trying to get home to Oklahoma for Christmas, I was doing a little Facebook "creeping" (as the kids call it!). This status update really caught my eye:

"Be thankful that you can enjoy the holidays with your families, for there are those who can't. Be thankful that you are in a place where you can praise and worship without fear, for there are places where they want to kill you for doing the same...Be thankful, people, be thankful..."

I was especially stirred when I read it because the friend who posted it is serving our country in the Middle East. He went on to lament how disturbing it was to see status updates on Facebook from people at home who are so consumed with life that they seem to have forgotten the very simplest thing: to be thankful. To worship the "reason for the season" and enjoy the many blessings that are showered in abundance....and to cherish our time with one another and our freedom to worship King Jesus.

I thought it was a good reminder for today...and tomorrow. As we hustle and bustle to cook, bake, wrap and finish all our last minute Christmas preparations...that we need to take many, many moments to stop and BE THANKFUL!

And, let's not forget to pray for those who serve in our armed forces that will be away from their families this Christmas and for families in other parts of the world who will face persecution for celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Another Good One...

2009-11-19T16:02:00.001-06:00

I have stumbled across another good site, She Seeks. This site is filled with some great and inspirational blogs and other resources. I really loved this post about doubt and especially this excerpt...

"I sobbed into the carpet in the privacy of my bedroom. I beat my fist against tables demanding answers. In a way, I did whatever I could to provoke a response from the silent God. I was convinced I was the only one left in the relationship He and I used to have.

One day God’s voice burst through with a violence that left me in awe. He spoke through the sermon of my pastor who reminded me that God’s glory is of the utmost importance to Him and He is willing to withhold things I want if He sees a greater glory for Him and a better good for me coming in a different way....And, in the meantime, I’m going to choose not to be offended when God doesn’t give me what I want."

Grateful...

2009-11-17T10:06:00.000-06:00

I've been struggling lately. Not bad. Just the kind of internal wrestling that comes with change when you are used to everything being the same. The new is wearing off my "new" life; not that I love it any less...but, well, it isn't shiny and bright anymore. :)

I've recently discovered the lovely little (In)Courage site that daily has provided me with encouragement and a little "lift" when I need it most. And today's blog was worth sharing, because sometimes (read: every single day) I need to be reminded of this...

Am I thankful? Sure I am. As long as it’s convenient.
As long as the gift-giver is within ear’s reach of my thank you. And as long as what I’m thankful for is good, comfortable, pleasant and smells great.

I never thank anyone for rolling over my toe with their cart in the grocery store or thank someone for an unkind word. And I never thank God for struggles.

I mean, how stupid would I sound:
Thank you, God, for NO MONEY to pay the mortgage.
Thank you that my seven-year-old has emotional outbursts every morning before school that reduce her to a pile of unbrushed auburn waves and tears on the bathroom floor. Thanks for spilled apple juice, dried and sticky on the floor.
Thank you, God, for the rejection of friends and that crazy mean email last week. Thank you for the tears it cost.
Thank you for the argument I had with my husband last night. Thank you, God, that he doesn’t understand me.

No.

We are usually thankful for blessings.

Gifts. Encouragement. Provision.

We send thank-you notes to mothers and cousins for baby gifts and Christmas packages. We call our pastors and thank them for the sermon. We are grateful for warm beds and fireplaces that glow in our family rooms.

We are thankful because it’s easy and expected.

But the sweet times, the easy-flowing happy times are not what shape me. I am comfortable and will stay the same if everything always goes my way.

Discomfort is the only way I grow. And I am never grateful for sitting in the valley of hurt and pain. I’m never thankful when things don’t work out like I planned.

I stamp my feet instead and no-fair God. I tell Him He doesn’t know what its like to be me.

I’m not changed in the lots-of-money, kids-are-well, husband-adores-me days.

But I am changed in the I’m-fat, second-argument-this-week-with-my-mom, worried-about-my-kids days.

This is when I’m moved to trust. I have to because nothing else works.

These are the days when God comes in and under-girds my heart with His own, turns my head to refocus my attention and then asks me to trust.

And I should be grateful that He thinks enough of me to carefully craft difficulty to edge me toward beauty, kindness, and grace with pressure.

I don’t want to just be thankful for the easy. I want to be grateful for the hard. And that involves a choice...one I'm making today.

Will you join me?
by Sarah Markley

Red River Rivalry...

2009-10-16T17:38:00.001-05:00

It's OU/Texas weekend...my first one as a resident of Texas! It's odd...but i have loved seeing all the visiting Sooner fans around town!

I also love this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnx2MungsGI&feature=youtube_gdata

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone

Nobel Peace Prize...

2009-10-09T10:12:00.000-05:00

So, I have something blog-worthy today.

Obama + the Nobel Peace prize = SERIOUSLY?!!?
For "inspiring hope"....SERIOUSLY?!?!

Here is a list of people I think should have won it instead of him. People who probably will never be nominated because they are not self-seeking and ridiculous.

The HoodMama
Her family gave up their own "comforts" to move to the "wrong" side of town and love on children and people without hope. Her husband founded a ministry that provides opportunity to people who for all accounts had no opportunity. They surely "inspire hope" in an entire community.

The Pioneer Woman
Ummm....she "inspires hope" in women everywhere. She supplies the gals in my office with laughter via her blog EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, she gives away GREAT prizes, documents her life in AMAZING photography, LOVES people....AND has a new cookbook!

Paula Deen
Need I say more? The woman pulled herself up by her own bootstraps and has created a deep-fried empire and sisterhood that "inspires hope" in all southern-cooking gals everywhere. I hang on her every butter-filled word...and I know I'm not the only one!

I would nominate all the mommas I know...for "inspiring hope" in their children. And all the student ministers I know...for "inspiring hope" in countless students. And all my very best friends for "inspiring hope" in me.

I could go on...but I think you get my drift.

As blah as the weather...

2009-10-08T15:29:00.001-05:00

Sometimes it is fun to take a sick day due to a massive and insanely ridiculous headache. The kind where your eyeballs hurt and it really feels like something is dancing with the stars on the base of your skull...you know, where your head and neck meet? It produces such pain that you think if you venture to try to lift your head off your pillow it just MIGHT fall off your neck. I'm sure all of you know that type of headache. For some reason, they've been more frequent the past few months. I probably should go to a Dr. or therapist or Diet Coke rehab to figure out the cause....hmm.

Today after taking really LOVELY leftover pain meds to tackle the massive headache and sleeping WELL past noon I decided I might need some fresh fall air. Sometimes it is fun to come to Starbucks in the middle of a work day (I say sometimes...but this is actually the FIRST time I've ever done that!) Starbucks helps headaches a little bit. I think it's the soothing music and smell of coffee brewing. And although it was fantastically fall-ish yesterday....today, it's sunny and warm. In October. So much for my fresh fall air. Ugh. Oh...newsflash according to the gentleman currently waiting for his tall decaf caramel macchiato....we are expecting hail and 60 mph winds tonight. GRREEEATTTT.

I realize that I am a blog-slacker. I feel a little sad/pathetic that I don't have more to share than my massive headache and weather updates. I'm hoping to remedy that soon...I have visitors coming next week, we'll be going to the pumpkin patch...and hopefully more fun, fun things will be to come!

In the mean time....I just added Google AdSense to my page...down there, on the right. Go ahead, click an ad if it looks interesting. I get paid if you do (allegedly).

And, happy fall :)

Happy Fall...

2009-09-04T20:44:00.001-05:00

Fall. My favorite season for so many reasons...crisp morning air, pretty leaves and FOOTBALL!!!

Boomer Sooner!!!

Mercy...

2009-08-20T15:01:00.000-05:00

Loved this post on my favorite blog.

If you don't want to follow the link and read her blog...here is the bit I loved the most:

"Mercy is a door. It is a portal through which we catch a glimpse of the heart of God. A gentle tug on our heartstrings draws us in. But soon we encounter brokenness so overwhelming that neither the tender-hearted nor the inventive problem-solver feel up to the task. Our solutions fall short. Pathologies are too deep, poverty too entrenched. And we descend into our own poverty, a poverty of spirit, a crisis of confidence in our own abilities to rescue. We are tempted to withdraw, to retreat to a more manageable world. Yet our hearts constrain us. Or our guilt. We feel trapped. And, like the broken, we find ourselves calling out to God for answers. When our best efforts have failed us, we are left with nothing to cling to but frail faith. In a strange twist of divine irony, those who would extend mercy discover that they themselves are in need of mercy." - Bob Lupton

Home again...

2009-08-16T18:02:00.000-05:00

So, due to some overtime hours worked at my first big event in Texas (which was fantastic!), I was privelaged enough to have a day off. And a day off is GREAT becaues it enables me to come home to Oklahoma and see my family and friends. My past few trips have been very fast and I haven't had a lot of time to really see everyone. But, this time I got to come home on Thursday night and got to see lots of people....not everyone, but more than usual!

I also got to get my hair cut. Yeah...I'm "that girl." I realize this makes me sound high maintenance and vain. And I wouldn't normally characterize myself that way (maybe you should ask my friends). BUT, I like my hair a certain way. And I like the person that has cut it for quite a while. Justyn. He's like my hair magician! I DID venture out and have someone else cut it in Texas....and, well, let's just say I pretty much need to stick with Justyn! So, I was ECSTATIC to have an appointment with him while I was here!

I love my job...and I love my new friends. I'm excited about my new life. But, there's just something about being home. My first morning home I went to walk at the city reservoir and saw 10-15 people I knew...all before 8 am! And I spent the rest of the day running in to people I know. At the hair place, the restaurant I ate lunch at (where the waitresses remembered my name and my ORDER), at Wal-mart...everywhere! I got to eat at ALL my favorite places and even have some Fortune Cookie fried rice all frozen and ready to take home and ration out until my next visit!

It was nice to be "un-anonymous" for the weekend.

And now...back to Texas I go. Each time I come home and leave again it gets easier. I'm happy to go to MY home and happy to go to work. And I'm thrilled to see all my friends at work tomorrow. I'm ready to dive in to a church body and get to know the people...to find a group to fellowship and learn and grown and experience life with. To make Texas...well, mine!

I just wish I could bottle a little Altus up and take it with me!

Oh....and I'm sad to miss football season here. Friday nights might never be the same!

Orphan...

2009-08-05T20:47:00.001-05:00

Warner Bros. new horror movie Orphan proclaims that it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own. Let me tell you about how an orphan changed my life...

My Nannie had a heart for orphans...I'm so glad she did because otherwise I wouldn't have my two sweet aunts in my life. They have been such a blessing to me...loving, supportive and incredible roll models. My sweet Aunt Patti shares recipes with me and is always looking for ways to bless me and others.

My mom inherited the heart for orphans from my Nannie. Most of my college years there were foster children in and out of her home. Truthfully, it was hard on my heart. They were all special and unique and I was pretty guarded with my heart. They were all too easy to fall in love with. I think the Lord used each of them to expand the capacity of my heart to love.

Then came Carissa, my sweet little sister. I don't think our family was ever complete without her. She brings such joy and lots of laughter...and I love her more than words could describe.

I haven't seen the movie and probably won't, but my prayer is that the Father to the fatherless will prevent this movie from profitting and use the attention to shine a light on the needs of orphans worldwide.

www.tomdavis.typepad.com

Sent from my iPhone

Wales...

2009-07-18T19:35:00.000-05:00

Now that I'm over my massive jet lag I thought I would attempt to blog about what an AMAZING experience I had. I say attempt because really, no words can describe this trip.

Let's start at the beginning: I felt the Father tugging at my heart last summer at Falls Creek. In my 16 summers at Fall Creek (seriously...that's a LOT of Falls Creek!) and though NUMEROUS sermons preached...it was a different tugging than I can ever remember having had before. One day I decided to go to the morning worship experience, which I usually NEVER go to because normally I would have been "busy" helping with something. BUT, on this special morning a friend of ours was scheduled to speak and I just HAD to be there. My motives were maybe not all that spiritual...I won't elaborate, but let's just say it had to do with a pretty handsome guy. Anyway, I digress.

Despite my less-than-holy motives, the Father had been stirring my heart long before Falls Creek in my massive blog stalking of adopting families. He had opened my eyes to the suffering of orphans and to some pretty overwhelming statistics. And then Mr. Handsome Guy spoke in our cabin and laid some other disturbing statistics on me about the sheer lostness around the world. Lostness which I knew existed, but hearing the numbers just stirred my soul more than ever before. Then the STUDENTS were presented with an opportunity to respond to these statistics and invited to look into a trip overseas. THE STUDENTS. (HA!) After coming home I just couldn't shake it...that tugging of my heart and Father nudging me to go...go...go...go...go.

I had no way of knowing when I applied that this year would be such a year of change for me....but God knew WAY back last July when He called me. He's crazy and amazing like that!

Our 8 days in Wales were spent training in the mornings and then serving in the afternoons. Some groups had opportunities to make connections with people and talk about our wonderful Savior and His great love. Others, like mine, spent most of the time walking, talking with Father, rinse and repeat....with very few conversations. But I am convinced that our Father heard us and will make His name and glory known in the places we were. I find myself wishing I were back there...aching to just be walking and praying again. To quote one of the students "I'm homesick for a place that isn't even my home...is that weird?!"

Forgive me for such a long and generic post. I felt like it was prudent to watch my words in order to guard the work of others who are there. But, if you would like to hear more detailed stories of what Father is up to in Wales....please feel free to email, call, facebook...I'd LOVE to share more :)

Also....I will try to post some of my cool pictures soon. But for now, here is one of my team...we only knew each other for 10 short days, but they are fantastic students and fill my heart with such hope!

We got to worship and talk to our Father while walking in the waves one day. It was breathtaking...

Jet Lag...

2009-07-13T21:58:00.001-05:00

The trip was incredible! My brain is still trying to wrap around and process all the amazing things that the Father taught me and what cool things He accomplished through the students.

I will attempt to get my thoughts in order and on the blog soon...once I'm fully recovered from the jet lag :)

Sent from my iPhone

Excitement...

2009-06-26T18:29:00.001-05:00

I leave tomorrow for training and then on to Wales, on mission. I'm so thankful for the provision of the Lord and kindness of my sweet church family that is allowing me this opportunity. And I'm thanking God for this great privilege.

I hope to get to post from the trip...at least once to give the link to our trip blog.

"What a privilege we have been given by God to be able to spend our lives giving His love away."
~ Don Lessin

Resolved...

2009-06-24T09:33:00.000-05:00

The past three days messengers have met at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. It is MOST interesting...especially if you work in a State Convention...and especially if you are easily amused! My cube buddy Sheryl and I have almost constantly kept the SBC live feed up and running and have watched the twittersphere and looked to it for entertainment, since our guys are all there and not here to entertain us as they usually do!

During the meeting there are many, many, MANY resolutions and motions presented...some of which have merit and some that are just silly (those are usually the ones that the news media choose to pounce and report on). However, the resolution below was voted on and passed and is my absolute favorite. It gives me great hope for the future and has huge potential for the sake of orphans worldwide! Pray that an adoption culture will take root and spread in the churches represented by the SBC.

“On Adoption and Orphan Care”

WHEREAS, in the gospel we have received the “Spirit of adoption” whereby we are no longer spiritual orphans but are now beloved children of God and joint heirs with Christ(John 14:18; Rom. 8:12-25; Gal. 3:27-4:9; Eph. 1:5); and
WHEREAS, the God we now know as our Father reveals himself as a “father of the fatherless” (Ps. 68:5) who grants mercy to orphans (Deut. 10:18; Hos. 14:3); and
WHEREAS, our Lord Jesus welcomes the little ones (Luke 18:15-17), pleads for the lives of the innocent (Ps. 72:12-14), and shows us that we will be held accountable for our response to “the least of these my brethren” (Matt. 25:40); and
WHEREAS, the Scripture defines “pure and undefiled religion” as “to visit orphans and widows in their trouble” (Jas. 1:27); and
WHEREAS, the satanic powers have warred against infants and children from Pharaoh to Moloch to Herod and, now, through the horrors of a divorce culture, an abortion industry, and the global plagues of disease, starvation, and warfare; and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have articulated an unequivocal commitment to the sanctity of all human life, born and unborn; and
WHEREAS, a denomination of churches defined by the Great Commission must be concerned for the evangelism of children—including those who have no parents; and
WHEREAS, upward of 150 million orphans now languish without families in orphanages, group homes, and placement systems in North America and around the world; and
WHEREAS, our Father loves all of these children, and a great multitude of them will never otherwise hear the gospel of Jesus Christ; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, June 23-24, 2009, express our commitment as a denomination of churches to join our Father in seeking mercy for orphans; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we call on each Southern Baptist family to pray for guidance as to whether God is calling them to adopt or foster a child or children; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we encourage our pastors and church leaders to preach and teach on God’s concern for orphans; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we commend churches and ministries that are equipping families to provide financial and other resources to those called to adopt, through grants, matching funds, or loans; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we ask our International Mission Board and North American Mission Board to prioritize the evangelism of and ministry to orphans around the world, and to seek out ways to energize Southern Baptists behind this mission; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we encourage Southern Baptist churches to join with other evangelical Christians in recognizing November 8, 2009, as “Orphan Sunday,” focusing that day on our adoption in Christ and our common burden for the orphans of the world; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we hope what God is doing in creating an adoption culture in so many churches and families can point us to a gospel oneness that is defined not by “the flesh” racial, economic, or cultural sameness but by the Spirit unity and peace in Christ Jesus; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that we pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit on Southern Baptist congregations so that our churches increasingly will announce and picture, in word and in deed, that “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.”

Countdown...

2009-06-02T22:09:00.000-05:00

I leave in just 25 days for my very first mission trip. I'm very excited and scared. Mostly scared about the flying part. Over the ocean. I'm going with an organization that partners each year with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and with Falls Creek to send students to different parts of the globe to share Christ. I felt like the Lord was asking me to let Him stretch me LAST summer at camp...but, little did I know then that I would be living in a completely different state when the time came for the trip! They are sending around 100 students and adults to the UK this year and my group will be going to Cardiff, Wales. We will be doing several different types of things to assist the local IMB missionaries in their work. I will be with a team that is assigned to prayer walk and look for opportunities to build relationships at a university campus. Sounds fantastically fun, right?! I'm excited to see all the things the Lord will accomplish through these students...and really excited for the first stamp in my passport!

I would so appreciate your prayers as I settle things from my "wreck", finish preparing my apartment for company (who will be staying there while I'm out of the country) and physically and mentally preparing myself for another new adventure.

Now...time to go try to locate my passport!

Your Grace is Sufficient...

2009-05-29T20:36:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I had the fun opportunity to spend a few days at the lake with my boss and friend, Jared, and his wife, Shell. For the readers who DON'T know me (ehem...stalkers), we have been friends for years, so it was a lovely and fantastic time! Our friend April was there, too. We pretty much left Jared on the recliner watching sports and Schiendler's List (not my idea of good Memorial Day weekend movie watching) while us gals played Nertz for HOURS on the patio. Sunday we worshipped at a really nice little church and then some of our friends from work joined us...and again, we played cards for HOURS! It was really fun and a great time to get to know some of the people I serve with outside of the confines of our office.
I think I've mentioned before...but I will again...how thankful I am for all my new co-workers and friends. They are amazing!

Yesterday I had a little car accident. Nothing super major...but I am accuately aware of the ways in which the Lord had His hand of grace on me. And honestly, quite overwhelmed with that thought. I was taking some things to Jared and while glancing to see if I could change lanes the semi-truck in front of me lost a pretty large metal thing-y (for lack of the technical term) off his truck...and I ran over it. God kept me from seeing it coming...so I didn't swerve into traffic and didn't hit this large metal object with my tire (which might have caused me to roll my car)...and He delivered me safely to the side of the road, helping me keep my wits about me and not panic...and causing me to remember to turn off my car quickly (which the repair people have assured me was essential to my car not being completely trashed!). And then....to display His greatness even further, Jared was closer than I realized and was there within about 10 mintues and my uncle, who lives 45 minutes from where I was located, was ACROSS THE STREET at a restaurant. At 3:45 in the afternoon. Random...but so God-ordained. I was able to get help very quickly and didn't have to sit and worry. After I got home and all of these little moments kind of sunk in, I heard this song on my iTunes and it just really struck a cord in my heart.
Your grace is sufficient for me
Your strength is made perfect
When I am weak
And all that I cling to I lay at Your feet
Your grace is sufficient for me."
~Shane & Shane (Your Grace is Sufficient)

His grace has been SO sufficient for me the last 7 weeks...through all the crazy-ness of moving to a new town, far from everything and everyone I love, He has been ever-present and always calming and assuring me with His Holy Spirit that I am not alone in this adventure. Even the scary wrecks and even while trying to build new friendships.

He is really sufficient for me...and more and more He continues to remind my heart of that.

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You
I trust in You
I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus, You're all I need.
~Kari Jobe (Healer)

Tex-ahoma...

2009-05-18T19:33:00.001-05:00

I have no idea how to catch my blog up to my life! There is just so much to tell and I'm not sure most of it is very interesting!

Let's see...Texas. Well, so far, I am still enjoying my job very much. At the going away party for my friend Jennifer, who has trained me and is leaving, I really realized more and more WHY I love it. It is a blessing and pleasure to go to a job everyday where the #1 goal and purpose is to make the name of the Lord known above all else. That the focus is loving God and serving His people. And because of this shared goal and purpose there is a great sense of unity and a joy in the working. And, they love each other and have embraced me and welcomed me into their family.

The home thing...well, that is coming along ok. My apartment still lacks couches and cable tv. I've had the worst time with those two things! Getting couches is requiring muscles and a truck...two things which I do not have. I took that for granted in Altus...I had a plethera of teenage boys at my beck and call who had BOTH! And cable tv...well, there is a reason the cable man has a bad rap. 8 service calls and two or three missed appointments later....I still have no access to the outside world via tv. I gave up last week and decided to take a break on trying to acquire both of those essentials for a few days to regain and maintain my sanity.

Sweet, sweet Oklahoma...I got to go home for a good visit this weekend. I never realized how quickly weekends can go when you want to see everyone you love. I got a chance to visit with my sweet friend Jenn over Benny's tasty pizza and chips, spent some quality time with my mom and sisters and laughed a lot with my cute nephews who are just a tornado of energy! And, I got to participate in Senior Sunday...standing in as "mom" to my sweet "son" Creadell. He's a special young man and I was honored to get to stand with him...and I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for his very bright future!

So there....I suppose that is as updated as this blog will be :)

Lone Star...

2009-04-29T18:05:00.000-05:00

I am officially a resident of Texas (clinging to my "Okie-ness" by refusing to get new tags and a new license until I am required by law to do so!). I realize I have been absent from the blog world for awhile...so, I'll do my best to fill in the large blank on my blog!

I have been here 3 weeks...insane. I moved into a new apartment on Sunday and have started the unpacking and semi-decorating. And, I promptly found the nearest Starbucks to not only satisfy my strong need of tasty beverages, but borrow their wifi as well!

I L-O-V-E my job! The people I serve with are incredible, incredible, incredible! I really enjoy this learning process and the gal that is training me (to take her place) is just sweet as pie. It is a real joy to go to work in the mornings!

Hopefully soon I will have some cute apartment pics to post :)
And, hopefully I will get caught up on some blog reading!

Torn...

2009-04-06T08:47:00.000-05:00

I leave Altus in seven days for my new job and new adventure.

I'm excited and scared. Mainly scared about finding a home and church. Excited about my job.

And then I'm torn. Tearing up at the drop of a hat, just at the thought of pulling away from Altus next Sunday. Everything I love most is here. My family, my church, my students. They have all been wonderfully supportive of this new opportunity. And sharing in my excitement. But, it is hard. It's hard to walk away from a place where I have been so loved. Hard to leave people who I have lived life with for so long....crying with each other through hard times and laughing in all the great times. H-A-R-D.

Last night we received a call that the dad of one of our students was not doing well. He has suffered for some time and valiently fought an agressive cancer. We headed to the hospital to love on our student and his family...and as I watched a youth group full of teenagers stand in the tiny hallway outside the room, offering their love and just the strength of their presence, I was overwhelmed. So proud of these students who would stand in the gap for their friend and stand behind him and even in the room with him and watch this very difficult thing happen to his dad. And just overwhelmed with sadness at the thought of not being there for them.

I know that God will provide. He'll provide me with new friends to live life with and to love on. And He will provide the very best thing for these students, too.

But, leaving is hard.

Moving On...

2009-03-25T22:16:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I last posted...and really, no one but Susan will have known that (HA!). I've had just sooooo much going on lately.

The biggest news is that I have decided to take a new job. I am scared beyond measure about this step! I will be moving in a little over TWO WEEKS to the Dallas area to work at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention with the Associate for Student Evangelism. We have been friends for years, which makes the whole thing a lot easier. I was just "officially" offered this job yesterday, accepted and handed in my resignation plus told our students today and I start on April 13th. All very fast and a tad overwhelming!!!!

I'm really excited about this amazing opportunity and at the same time just sad, sad, sad about leaving this incredible job that I love and these really fantastic students. In fact, in telling them tonight, my heart was just pounding out of my chest and hurting so badly! It's hard to walk away from them so quickly.

I really do covet all of your prayers as I make this enormous transition...and of course, more blogs to come!

Laughter...

2009-02-20T20:41:00.000-06:00

It's been a long time, no post...and a long month. From Student Ministry events, a Farewell Retirement weekend for Zane & Kandy (more to come on that later) and the death of one of my favorite uncles...which has included a lovely trip to Ohio.

I hate funerals (who doesn't?)...but in my family I so enjoy the time it affords us to gather together and talk with one another. Don't get me wrong...we have some "interesting" (to say the least) family members...but all in all we have a fun time. My sister and I had the pleasure of spending time with our counterpart cousins. Two fantastically fun gals who stair-step us in age. My #1 uncle Joe (their dad) paid for us to stay in a hotel room together for the night...and told us to go "straight to bed and rest." And, we had good intentions to do just that. BUT...laughter ensued (due to extreme tiredness) and we giggled like we were 12 years old again. Only instead of laughing over our crush on Kirk Cameron (he's still SO cute)...now we're laughing about kids and husbands and jobs...and m'n'ms and crunches. Oh...and some $30 dare.

Tonight...after a really long day and a sweet, sweet funeral...I have gotten to sit and listen to stories and watch my mom and her two sisters just cuddle on a couch and giggle like crazy. I mean, off-the-deep-end, can't-catch-your-breath, belly-laughing. Three grandmas. Drunk on laughter. About nothing and everything.

And on the day they buried their wonderful oldest brother and our favorite uncle.....it really is the best medicine.

Spinning...

2009-02-03T23:41:00.000-06:00

This is how I feel...only less lovely and composed:

I have many thoughtful and super inspiring (ha!) posts in the works...including more on my new favorite read, From Ashes to Africa (if you haven't read it yet...you should so we can chat about it!), and a run down of all the fantastic things the Lord has been doing in my life and the lives of students.

But, sleep beckons...and plates have to be kept spinning!

Thirty, Flirty and Thriving...

2009-01-16T00:25:00.000-06:00

Well, maybe not so much FLIRTY....
but THIRTY and thriving feels pretty good!!

How cute are these cupcakes?
I love the bees...so, hint-hint if my amazing baker Sister is reading this :)

I semi-dreaded this birthday. I mean, I thought 29 was kinda a blah birthday...the same way I felt about turning 19. There's something about the year that ends a decade...it's just a let down! On New Year's Eve I had a mini panic attack about turning the big THREE-OH. It might have had something to do with the movie that was on Lifetime..."7 Things to Do Before I Turn Thirty." Probably shouldn't have watched that! And really, in the midst of the holidays and vacation days...it sorda snuck up on me!

But the closer it has gotten....the better I feel. I mean, 30 is an accomplishment! And while there are things I haven't had the opportunity to experience and certain dreams that I've had to let go in order to pursue God's perfect will, I know there are so many amazing things to look forward to this year. I will go on my first mission trip this year...to LONDON! So, I will have the first stamp in my brand-spankin' new passport! And I plan to take myself to NYC in the fall to celebrate the milestone birthday year and go to all the places featured in the movie "You've Got Mail." I feel like this year is just one step closer to a lot of new dreams God has planted in my heart being fulfilled...and who else but our sovereign God knows what else there is in store!!! HOW EXCITING!

A few quotes I found that I loved:

"Getting old ain't for sissies." ~ Bette Davis
(I hear she had great eyes...isn't that a song?!)
"Everything I know I learned after I was thirty."
~ Georges Clemenceau
"Time and Tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of thirty." ~ Robert Frost
“Thirty was so strange for me. I've really had to come to terms withthe fact that I am now a walking and talking adult.” ~ C.S. Lewis

I'm excited to see what's on the other side of this door...

here's to THIRTY!

And who knows...maybe I'll even get a little more flirty! :) (HAHA)

From Ashes to Africa...

2009-01-13T21:20:00.000-06:00

I was first turned onto the blog world by one of my friends who shared with me the blog of one of HER friends who was in the process of adopting. She thought I would enjoy reading about it. Then her friend had links on her page and my second blog addiction became Ethiopia or Bust, the blog of Amy Bottomly. I don't know why (or didn't know why at that point) her blog grabbed my heart so much...but I actually went back to the very beginning of her blog and read 2 years worth of her writing.

She and her husband recently released the memoir of their journey through the ashes of dashed dreams and deep despair...through longing and waiting...to their sweet, sweet boy from Africa.

I was so excited that I snapped it up the MINUTE I got the email saying it had been released. It came in the mail this morning and I honestly could NOT put it down! I read in every spare second (literally) I had during this relatively hectic day. And, I finished it about an hour ago. It was THAT good!

While I can't say I've shared the exact same hurt as they have...I know about longing and waiting. And I know the lonely island that unrequited desires and unfulfilled dreams can create. They eloquently lead you through all of their deep heart hurts and wrestlings with God and out to the other side. They give hope and inspiration to look beyond current circumstances to the mysterious future...a future that is not mysterious to our sovreign God and one that He is molding and shaping in the very midst of circumstances we did not expect.

I have so many other thoughts on it...and I may just have to read it again tomorrow! Expect more posts on this book soon!

We Are the World...

2009-01-02T21:09:00.000-06:00

When I was a little girl I L-O-V-E-D the song "We Are the World" performed by USA for Africa. You know, the song that like a
ka-jillion famous people performed together?!

Let me refresh you on the lyrics:

We are the world, we are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving (Michael Jackson)

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives (Diana Ross)

It's true we'll make a better day

Just you and me (Michael Jackson/Diana Ross)

So...as promised...pictures from my amazing night on New Years Eve with the African Children's Choir. WARNING...I had trouble picking my favorite pictures, so I'm sharing LOTS!

We were SO excited!

My favorite little boy...he had my heart from the very beginning with that grin! And he could play that drum GOOD! Sweet smiling girl... What a beautiful little girl...and a beautiful voice!
Their grins were contagious...such joy!

This ranks up there in the best experiences I've had...ever. It was so, so much more than I could have ever hoped for...and I fell in love with Africa even more than I was before!

It was humbling to watch as these children who have come out of tragic circumstances, orphaned by poverty and war and curable diseases, sang about their great love for their "Shepherd God" and radiated His love out of every part of their being. Grinning from ear to ear as they gave Him all the praise their hearts and little bodies could muster. It made me ashamed of how often I do not choose to give Him glory despite my "hardships"...ashamed of how I make my problems bigger than they are...ashamed of how ungrateful I am for God's rich blessings.

My favorite part was hearing the stories of their choir director and other adults who chaperone and teach these children, people who have been through genocides and wars and graduated from this school...and gone on to earn college diplomas and even masters degrees! And they give back to the program that has given them LIFE and instill new dreams in the hearts of more children. A cycle of changing lives!

And, did I mention that it made me love Africa more?

Because, it did.

"Where you live should no longer determine whether you live."

~Bono

All Things NEW...

2009-01-01T01:04:00.000-06:00

An excerpt from my New Year's post 2008:
I pray that this new year, this new day the Lord has blessed us with...that it is just that...NEW. I pray that the Lord breaths NEW hope into our days. That He brings NEW people across our paths...new people to lead to Himself, new people to love us and love in return. I pray that He reminds us of our hope in Him and makes even that NEW...dusting it off from the past year of disappointments and failure and sin...and making it shine as NEW as the day it was born in us. I pray that, as wayward and undeserving as we are, the Lord will choose to grant us NEW and treasured blessings.Most of all, I pray we will be faithful to use this gift of newness to bring glory to Him.I pray for each of you, my dearest friends, a very blessed NEW year!

I thought it was good to look back at what I had written last year...and to remember what kind of dreams were in my heart. God certainly brought newness into my life. A new blog addiction :) A new heart full of compassion. New passions. New people to love to Christ and to love life with. Life-changing conversations, articles, books and so much more. And while my life doesn't really look much different on the outside, I believe I end 2008 a little closer to being who God created me to be than I was last year....which is the best I can hope for!

I echo myself from last year in praying that this NEW year will bring all of us a NEW reminder of the hope that is in us...the hope of glory that we have found in Christ. And that we will dust off our hearts from the past year and prepare ourselves for all the NEW plans that the Lord has for 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

PS...Pics and a post to come about my AWESOME New Years Eve!

In My Heart...

2008-12-28T21:59:00.000-06:00

The few of you who read this blog must be aware by now that adoption...more specifically international adoption...and even more specifically African adoption....is big on my heart. I've read several books in the last few months that have confirmed this heart-pulling, constantly-on-my-mind subject. And just enlightened me in general to the plight of orphans and the disadvantaged. I would HIGHLY recommend these books...in fact I do, there...on your right in the side bar! READ THEM!

So, you can imagine how out-of-my-mind excited I was to find out that the African Children's Choir (the ones featured on Idol Gives Back singing with Josh Groban and who recently performed for the President on World Aids Day) are going to be in ALTUS! WHOO HOO!

They will be in concert on Wednesday, December 31st at 6:00pm at the First United Methodist Church.

What a fun opportunity right here in ALTUS to get to experience a little taste of Africa!

And what a reminder for us...to be praying for a continent that is on fire with famine, disease and war and leaving orphans in the path. To be looking for ways that we can join them and be part of the solution...to be the hands and feet of our Savior to these precious people.

Featured on the Gaither Christmas special:

On American Idol with Josh Groban:

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T17:27:00.001-06:00

Because I couldn't say it any better myself...a quote from one of my favorite sweet adoption blogs:

"We all need a savior. God has provided one. He came to earth and was born in a dirty stable. He walked our roads and loved the unlovable. He hung on our cross to save us from our broken, sinful, human nature. And He came back to life so that we could live forever.
This is the gospel... the good news... the tidings of great joy.
May you rejoice with the angels, worship with the shepherds and follow with the wise men."

I pray all two of you who read my blog have the merriest and most blessed Christmas!

I Heart Christmas...

2008-12-22T17:21:00.000-06:00

One night late...while I was trying to find a good Christmas movie to watch...I came across the "Christmas in Washington" special on TNT. I'm a sucker for anything that has to do with Christmas music. The whole special was really fun and lovely, but these guys were just hilarious and exceptionally talented....(watch the whole thing!)

Merry Christmas!!!

Coffee and Blessing...

2008-12-04T11:01:00.000-06:00

I ordered some Gobena coffee and have been anxiously waiting for it to arrive. We aren't HUGE coffee drinkers at the Youth House, except when it's cold! So, I was so excited when it arrived on Monday...and I have made a pot every morning! I ordered the Ethiopian blend and the Guatamalen blend. Both are really yummy! Of course, I drink mine with more cream and sugar than coffee...but, still delicious! AND the best part is that 100% of the proceeds go to Lifesong for Orphans, an organization with the "mission of bringing joy and purpose to orphans and mobilizing the church, where each person can provide a unique and special service: some to adopt, some to care, some to give." Inspiring people to give. I love it.

The Gobena Coffee family kids...adorable:

We currently have a big service challenge happening in our Student Ministry. It's called the Bless-Love-Serve Challenge. We're asking our students to open their eyes and begin asking the Lord to show them opportunities to serve someone else. They are to find at least one way each week to do this. We've already had some great responses from them...cleaning out attics for older ladies, raking leaves for people, gathering food and doing a "Ding Dong Ditch...blessing style"...so many stories.

The best one (I'm partial) comes from my own family. Last week I took my 5 year old sister, Carissa, to Wal-mart with me (the day before Thanksgiving...not fun). We needed last minute supplies for Thanksgiving dinner. On the way home, we thought it would be fun to stop and get a drink at Sonic. Well, we pulled into the ONLY empty spot which is directly facing a scary old garage. There, right in front of our car sitting on the sidewalk, was a seemingly homeless man. I thought it would be a great opportunity to show Carissa giving-in-action and teach her a little lesson. So, I paid for his order. I didn't say much to her about it...just hoping her little brain would start thinking. And...it did.

After a little bit she said
"Well, that was a nice thing to do. We help others because God gives us lots of stuff and some people don't have that, right??"

Then, I could see the little gears in her head just spinning out of control with ideas...
"You know what, Sissy? This tooth (pointing and wiggling her loose tooth) and this one (again with the jiggling and wiggling) are fixin' to come out. And I'm gonna get money from the tooth fairy...I think I will take my tooth fairy money and buy some food tickets (gift certificates from McDonalds/Sonic, etc) and give them to people who don't have food. I think that's a good idea."

Yes, I thought it was a very good idea. And I love that God planted those ideas in her heart...a sweet heart with deep love for people. I'm praying for it to be contagious this holiday season!

Carissa, and her soon to be very toothless grin...

30,000 Shoes in 30 Days...

2008-11-24T14:14:00.000-06:00

I love shoes. I mean, seriously, L-O-V-E. It may be a borderline addiction...this relationship I have with shoes. I never seem to have enough, or never seem to have the right pair to match the outfit...or quite frankly, I usually end up buying those cute odd color shoes and then HAVE to get something to match them. Like I said, I'll own up to it...addiction.

So, imagine my delight when I stumbled across an article a year or so ago about fabulous shoes that also help kids! I mean...what could be better?! Fantastic shoes for me AND for a sweet child!

This month Toms Shoes is having a shoe-drive of sorts. Order a pair for yourself, your mother, your sister, your dad...whoever! They are GREAT gifts and for every pair you purchase Toms will give a pair to a needy child in Ethiopia.

Created...

2008-11-12T21:16:00.000-06:00

I've been working on this post for a couple of days. I don't want to offend anyone...although I don't think any of you that read this blog will be offended in the least by what I have to say! And, since it is MY blog...well, you get to read MY thoughts!

"God created human beings; he created them godlike [in his own image], reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female." ~ Genesis 1:27

I have always felt like I was extremely privileged to have been raised for the better part of my formative years in a town that I consider to be diverse. I had friends of all color in high school and got along with everyone. We have a military base that brings us all sorts of people from all over America (and beyond). And being such a diverse town, one would think that we would be more accepting of the differences of others. At least I thought that!

But, this year God has given me eyes to see what maybe I have chosen not to see. The ignorant bigotry that still exists beyond the walls of my office and home. Our diverse little youth group has become even MORE diverse than usual. We have people of all color...and even a few kids from other countries. I enjoy it so, so much. I love all these kids! What I don't enjoy is having to sit and listen as two of my favorite (can I say that?) guys recount to me the stories of how they were unceremoniously dumped by the girls they liked. Because of their skin color. Two of the finest and most honorable young men I know. Young men who love God and seek Him. Rejected because of their color.

I have no way of fixing this situation. I am relegated to just a hug and an "I'm sorry"...and giving them yummy treats from the secret stash of "good" chocolate in my desk to try and make things better. And it hurts me to watch them hurt by something that should be over by the year 2008. It should have ended in the 1950s...or in fact, it never should have even started.

It makes me sad that people won't get to know all the things I know about these boys. The struggles they've had growing up...how they've turned out the way they are DESPITE their circumstances and how they have such desire to rise from the ashes and make so much more of themselves for the glory of God.

It makes me mad that these teenage girls would lead them on. That they would make them believe that their parents were "fine" with them dating...all the while sneaking around and lying to their parents instead of just being truthful in the beginning. Racism is not OK...but it is an easier pill to swallow up-front than when you have been dating someone for several weeks.

Last week when Obama won, I was not extremely excited. But my thoughts had nothing to do with his color. And when these boys asked me how I felt about him winning I was honest with them. I don't support his policies and I question his moral judgment. But I'm praying that his win will pave the way for them. And hopefully, when they are fathers, they will not have to deal with the broken heart of a child who was jilted and judged because of color.

Because when it all comes down to it, we were all created. All in the image of God. The Bible does not say that God created one color of people in his image. It says "human beings". All people. One race...the human race. The only distinguishing characteristics are male and female. And maybe we should do more of what it says...reflect God's nature. Our world would most certainly be a better place if we did.

"This is the family tree of the human race: When God created the human race, he made it godlike, with a nature akin to God. He created both male and female and blessed them, the whole human race." ~ Genesis 5:1-2

How Sweet It Is...

2008-11-07T16:39:00.000-06:00

I love Michael Buble. Really, I love big band and swing music. I don't know why. I mean, we weren't really raised on that music. I think my love of it began with "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail" and...well, chick flicks in general. Some of the Rat Pack style of big band music is just romantic and lovely. Enter Michael Buble...a man with a voice and a cute face to go with it! Earlier this spring I got to go see him in concert in OKC with my fab friend Bri. We had the BEST time ever! We screamed like teenage girls and giggled and just couldn't stop smiling! He's just too adorable for words! It was by far the best concert I've ever been to!

I especially love this music in the fall and winter. I have no reason for it. It just seems to go with the season! It conjours up visions of long walks through Central Park in the fall, with the person you love and a cup of hot chocolate (maybe I've just seen too many movies!) At any rate...I love it! It makes me feel all warm and cozy!

Some video to enjoy. I took this (is that illegal?) with my digital camera...so it isn't great, but...you get the picture. We had really amazing floor seats:

Bri & I waiting... Our first glimpse...and the screaming commences.Where he won our hearts...BOOMER SOONER!

He put on a spectacular show...the band was amazing!

There was this great choir to back him up on one song.
Me and Michael...or his poster anyway!

My favorite Michael Buble song:

America...

2008-11-04T23:27:00.001-06:00

I have many, many thoughts swirling around in my head right now. I made myself watch something, ANYthing on TV other than the election coverage tonight. I paced and prayed and paced some more. And then I watched. Not much...just enough to see the results. Which caused more pacing and praying.

God is still God....regardless of who won. And...I trust Him.
He's never failed me yet.

I read this on one of my favorite blogs (HoodMamaMel) tonight.
She writes great, funny and insightful things:

"May we rest in the truth that we worship a sovereign Lord who does not act upon our whims, but with absolute, divine purpose in all things.
And He is good; all the time."

Amen. Yes, He is.

UPDATE:
After a good night's rest and some introspection today...
here are my thoughts.
I am proud and excited to be an American. I am proud that in our country we are ALL offered the freedom to vote. We have the right to voice our opinions...guaranteed by law. It is a wonderful country we live in that we can vote any way we want without fear of bodily harm or retribution from the military, militias, guerilla warriors or government. WE ARE FREE.

I don't agree AT ALL with Obama's policies, but I am excited that our nation has now jumped a giant hurdle in ensuring equal rights and opportunity for those who are willing to put the work into achieving their dreams...regardless of race or gender. I hope reaching this milestone will help us move to a day where, instead of voting for a person because of these physical characteristics, we vote on issues and principles alone. I think that day is coming soon and I'm excited to witness this "cracking of the glass ceiling."

And even if I can't agree with our next leader...
I'm glad to be free to disagree.

Christmas Countdown...

2008-11-01T22:01:00.000-05:00

I know...I know. It seems bad. I mean, what about Thanksgiving, right?! And I do LOVE Thanksgiving. I mean, any excuse to eat until I fall asleep is good for me! But, today begins my official countdown until November 28th...the day AFTER Thanksgiving. The sweet, sweet day that I can start playing Christmas music in my office 24/7!!

I love Christmas.

What I don't love is that some times...or MOST times...it's super-easy for me to get busy and distracted and to forget what exactly it is that we are celebrating. I mean, until Christmas Eve church services. And, that is a shame.

I saw this recently on a blog I was lurking.

They are on to something.

I don't want to seem like I'm trying to be super holier-than-thou. I'm not. I just want to change me in some way this year. I want to do something to help someone else....because I have WAY more than I need. So, I think I'm going to do that. I'm going to ask for gifts to be given to someone other than me. I'm going to give more time and love and homemade yummies and give the money I save to help someone else by giving them clean water or food or to help them find a home.

And in doing so...I hope it makes me remember WHO I am really celebrating. A Savior who loved so much so I could live...and love like Him.

One of my favorite choices is the World Vision Gift Catalog. It offers the opportunity to give money toward clean-water wells, farm animals, malaria prevention and many, many other needs.

I also love finding gifts for people I love that give back to someone in need.

For the coffee lover: Gobena Coffee. Great coffee with 100% of the profits going to fund orphan assistance and build a group home with loving house parents for orphans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
For the shoe lover: Toms Shoes. For every pair you buy, they give a pair to a child in need. And they are CUTE!
For the lover of handmade ANYTHING: WorldCrafts. Really spectacular jewelry, baskets, pottery, Christmas ornaments, silk scarves and other hand-crafted items. This organization helps artisans in poverty-stricken areas of the world by selling their wares and assisting them in earning a fair wage.

Gifts that keep giving and gifts that help. My new favorite thing about this season. Well, second to the Christmas music, of course!

The Best Diet...

2008-10-30T13:23:00.000-05:00

I have no witty new blog. I've been ILL...really, really sick. I will spare you a thorough description of all the grossness that was my life for two days and kept me confined to my room (except when I was running to our UPSTAIRS bathroom...because our downstairs one is being remodeled!). Let's just say...it wasn't pretty.

But, on a positive note, my jeans are really loose today. :)

Enjoy these pictures I found on my mom's laptop...they are from earlier this summer.

Rissa...she lost her first tooth!

Camden and his floaties. Dylan...Mr. Blue Eyes.

Mom (in the middle...she looks as young as us!) and her girls.

Fun Fall Weekend...

2008-10-20T22:52:00.001-05:00

I promised a fun post....so here you go!
BEWARE....this is a picture laden post!

My little sister's favorite book (currently) is "Pinkalicious" by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann. She has the sequel, "Purplicious", but loves the book about pink best of all. My mom wanted to do something fun for Fall Break and put me in charge of finding said fun events. And I happened across "Pinkalicious: The Musical"!!! So...off we went to Grapevine, Texas! It's really one of my favorite areas of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metro...good mall, yummy food places (I talked my mom into trying sushi!) and close to lots of excitment. We surprised Rissa with a new pink outfit (which she has decided to wear for Halloween) and the trip to her very pink musical. To say there was a lot of pink at the Irving Arts Center that day would be an understatment! I've never seen so many shades of pink....pink tutus, pink tights, pink bows, pink sparkle shoes...pink, pink, pink (Susan...are you reading this?!). All the little kids were so cute and so excited...
it was VERY PINKALICIOUS!
She was excited about her NEW pink outfit...but she wanted to go inside! She was also a little tired of the paparazzi (AKA "Sissy"). Inside the Irving Arts Center...waiting for Pinkalicious to arrive!And there she is in all her pink splendor...with her brother Peter.She decided to turn me into Pinkalicious... I'm a great actress :)All that pink reminded me of my favorite movie of all time "Steel Magnolias"...and of one of the best pink quotes EVER:
Truvy: Shelby, what are your colors?Shelby: My colors are blush and bashful!
M'Lynn: Her colors are pink and pink!!
Shelby: My colors are blush and bashful, Mama! I have chosen 2 shades of pink, one is much deeper than the other.
M'Lynn: It's really quite revolting, the sanctuary looks like its been hosed down in Pepto-Bismol!
AND SO DID THE THEATRE!

We also took her to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch. SUPER FUN! They had a hay ride, bounce houses, pumpkins galore and TONS of wooden cartoon characters to take pictures with. Our allergies were HORRIBLE from the hayride...but you can't tell that in the pictures! It was nice to get away from home for a little break and get to laugh together. Plus, we got some really nice pumpkins!
The view driving into the pumpkin patch.We waited for about 30 minutes in line!Pumpkins, bounce houses...you can imagine with this view driving up, Rissa was BEYOND excited!Cheese!!!!Rissa helping mom push our pumpkin wagon.In Jail :)Rissa's Rat friendCARE BEAR STARE!The Mickey Mouse ClubCheese, again...our self portrait :)Our wagon FULL of pumpkins...and Rissa.Mom and Rissa being funny pumpkin-heads!She was tired...so she laid on a pile of pumpkins. It wasn't as comfortable as it looks!

Ugh...

2008-10-20T15:15:00.000-05:00

I heard something today that really bothers me. It's disenchanting, disheartening...dis-ugh...I can't even think of a word to describe what I think it is!!

Barack Obama raised 150 MILLION dollars to campaign with this month. And John McCain raised 47 MILLION. THIS MONTH.

Can someone please explain to me why our nation is in the financial state it is in? Why American children leave school on Friday and come to school starving on Monday? Why orphans in other countries die in unfathomable numbers each hour from highly, and cheaply, preventable diseases...and even worse, from just being hungry?

I know I don't do enough to impact the crisis' of our world...but then again, I don't have MILLIONS of dollars at my disposal. I can't even imagine what that kind of money could do to help others. Instead, it will be wasted on political advertising by men who make promises they aren't capable of keeping. Wasted on mere seconds of TV time that most of us will fast forward through on our TiVo (if we're lucky!) or on mailouts that will be at best skimmed over and then trashed (or possibly recycled). And worse, this is NEWS. They are reporting this as if this is a major achievment and something these men should be proud of. That they should be lauded because they are able to raise OBSCENE amounts of money with their wit and charm and empty promises that will be thrown to the wind. Seriously, is it just me or is something REALLY wrong with this logic?

Don't get me wrong. I am a BIG supporter of voting. I think it is important. I know that our soldiers (throughout the life of our country) have fought and died to give us this freedom. And I will not take it for granted. But, I'm apalled by the sheer amount of disregard to the needs of others.

I promise a more uplifting and fun post later...but this has been bothering me all day. I wish it bothered them this much!

Music & Lyrics...

2008-10-16T10:33:00.000-05:00

If you know me, you know that I love music. I like all kinds...country (love me some George Strait!), R&B, 80's rock, 90's boy bands, Big Band....the list goes on. I'm diversified...minus the new rap and "screamo" stuff, which I won't even try to explain why I don't like!

My favorite thing about music is how the lyrics can really grab you and speak to your heart. Regardless of the genre, I think God can use lyrics to touch your heart in different ways. I also think that once a song has spoken to your heart, those lyrics are always a sort of soothing balm. They become God's song to your heart, or your declaration of what He is to you...a reminder that He is always right there, talking to your heart through whatever means He can and a vessel for us to whisper back to Him how much we love Him.

I'm having one of those days today and as I listen to these songs and whisper their lyrics to God (because if I sang them as loud as I play them, the other secretaries would think I was weird!), I feel a little closer to Him.

So...here are a few of my favorite lyrics (this week):

"All my fountains are in You, You are real life. All my fountains are in You. You satisfy every longing of my heart, my thirst for more is through. Sweet living water flow, all my fountains are in you. In you, my heart can finally rest. In You, I know I have best. You are my greener pasture, a love my heart runs after, most of all the master of my soul." ~ Kevin Walker

"Heal my heart and make it clean. Open up my eyes to the things unseen. Show me how to love like You have loved me. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause. As I go from nothing to Eternity."
~ Hillsong United

"There is none like You. No one else can touch my heart like you do. I can search for all eternity long and find there is none like You." ~ Michael W. Smith

"I'm giving you my heart, and all that is within. I lay it all down for the sake of you my King. I'm giving you my dreams, I'm laying down my rights, I'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life. And I surrender all to you, all to you. And I surrender all to you, all to you." ~ Lincoln Brewster

"Give me one pure and holy passion. Give me one magnificent obsession. Give me one glorious ambition for my life. To know and follow hard after You....This world is empty, pale and poor compared to knowing you my Lord...Lead me on and I will run after you." ~ Passion Worship Band

"Hope came home, home to me today. And fear has run the other way. And words are weak; they don't know how to say,"You know I still believe in You." And should my dreams fall through, I will be safe with You. So with every breath I can breath, I'll sing about how You love me. I'll sing about how You love me." ~ Bebo Norman

"If you could walk the hallways of my heart and see things as they really are, I wonder if you might be surprised. Seeing faded walls of pride and fear, rooms I've filled with faithless tears and corners where I've stood in compromise. But you'd see the work His grace has done; You'd know just how far I've come. The only thing that's good in me is Jesus. The only thing that's good in me is Jesus. I know me well enough to know. No matter what this life may show. The only thing that's good in me is Jesus." ~ Ronnie Freeman

"Come meet us, King Jesus. Oh wind of change blow through this temple. Sweet Spirit of God, come and mend our hearts. For all we have are songs; Unless You come. Awaken what’s inside of me. Tune my heart to all You are in me. Even though You’re here; God come. And may the vision of You be the death of me. And even though you’ve given everything, Jesus come." ~ Shane & Shane

Whatever You're Doing....

2008-10-13T00:26:00.000-05:00

Whatever you're doing inside of me, it feels like chaos but I believe...You're up to something bigger than me, larger than life, something heavenly. ~Sanctus Real

The past two months in our Student Ministry have been somewhat unusual. It's not that the Lord hasn't done some pretty amazing things in the past...but this is maybe the first time I've experienced what He is doing right now. I can't think of one week since school started that we haven't had someone new in our offices. In fact, more than one someone new. And those new faces keep coming. And the new faces keep coming to know Christ. And then they bring more new faces!! I've lost count...and I LOVE it!!!

I really don't think that words can do justice to what God is accomplishing here. It's been a very long time since I have seen students so urgent to tell others about Jesus. They literally look through their yearbook and sit around to strategize about how best to reach certain people. And, the best part is, they do this without us having to prompt them to do it. We aren't having to do the work for them...we are not at camp, or in a scheduled revival. People are just coming to know Christ's love and salvation at lunch at school or in the Newton's backyard or in the parking lot.

Tonight one of my after-school regulars text me. He started hanging around in August and has been sort of testing out the Jesus waters since. And tonight the text I got said "Tomorrow is THE day!" So, if you are reading this on Monday...it is a day of salvation!!!

“At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you.
Indeed, the “right time” is now.
Today is the day of salvation."
2 Corinthians 6:2

If you have time and think about it, please pray for our students. I love what the Lord is doing...but I know the enemy does not. Please pray for protection and perserverance!

One other positive of this revival of students?
I am less upset about my OU Sooners losing on Saturday :(
Salvation kind of makes up for it!

My FABULOUS Sunday School girls at our OU/TX party. Notice the black sheep of the group?! We love them even if they are Longhorns...

Coach Pruitt and Zane...good sports!

We were so, so sad :(
BUT...today is the day of salvation!! :)

I Love My Youth Group...

2008-10-05T18:18:00.000-05:00

I really do. I know I am completely biased, but I think they are the most amazing teenagers on the planet. EVER. I spend a majority of my time with them. They are just plain cool.

Today was our annual "High Attendance Sunday" in Sunday School. We were given a goal of 216 for the Student Ministry. We generally run around 140ish...so it was a rather lofty goal in the first place. Since it was so lofty, I suggested to Zane and Tyler (our Student Ministers) that if we were to reach this goal, they should let the students syrup and feather them. After a little (or maybe a lot) of begging, prodding, persuading and badgering they caved and said YES.

Needless to say....the students rose to the occasion. We had EXACTLY 216! The most astounding part is that the Senior class had 53! So proud of them!

Not ONLY did we meet our goal and get to make a mess with syrup and feathers...but, our Bulldog football team claimed a victory and our cheerleaders placed 3rd at their state competetion. It was a busy, but very productive and fun, weekend!
And now...I'm so excited to see what the Lord will do this week!

BEAT DUNCAN! I made these super neat iron-on shirts.

My Favorite Quarterback
(this is from a few weeks ago, but a fave pic!)

GO Cheerleaders!

GOAL:

Crazy boys.

Rissa's friends. She loves these boys.

Goofs! Notice Crea trying to make his biceps look bigger! :)

And the fun begins...dum, dum, dum!

Camden wanted a picture with Zane.
But, he told him "Zane...do NOT touch me with your syrup hands!"

And Dylan...
"The big kids got Zane...he's dirty all over!"

Mighty...

2008-09-23T18:07:00.000-05:00

"I give my life to follow everything I believe in, now I surrender.
Savior, He can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save. Forever, Author of Salvation, He rose and conquered the grave. Jesus conquered the grave." ~Hillsong United

I discovered this song in my blog-stalking (see previous post). I stumbled on a video that just gripped my heart. So much so, that I made anyone who came in my office take a look. And we showed it to the kids at Bible study. The Alexander Family...after much prayer and a difficult process, picked up their sweet boy from Ethiopia.

Take a look.

I cry every time I see it. But in the last few weeks this song, though the lyrics are so simple, has come alive in front of my eyes. Homework helping, brownie making and just simply loving kids has brought about salvation. Our God is mighty to save. To save from death, to save from poverty, to save us from our own selfish desires.

He is mighty. He is salvation.

Sometimes I guess I need Him to slap me upside the head and remind me just how mighty He IS. And that because He is mighty to save...He more than deserves my everything.

It's easy in this "line of work", or just in life in general, to forget that He should be our everything. That our every breath should be about Him. I know I forget MULTIPLE times a day...probably close to a million! I forget when I get frustrated, angry, upset over silly things that have no eternal value. I forget when I begin thinking about what I don't have, when major selfishness creeps into my brain. But God, in all His amazing love and mightiness, is faithful even in those times. Faithful to bring these songs to mind, to guide my stalking mouse to a video that reminds me of His salvation and of my purpose...my purpose to give Him everything I have, so that others will know Him.

You are my King, You are my Dream...I bow down low and give you everything, everything, everything. ~ Jami Smith

Re-Blog...

2008-09-19T11:01:00.000-05:00

Ok, so this is a blog from awhile back that I posted on my MySpace blog (you know, the one that only Junior High students read). I still feel like it is quite stirring information, and wanted to share it with the two of you who read this blog! :) So, I'm "re-blogging".

Stirred...
A little known fact about me is that I'm completely a blog stalker! I mainly started out reading some blogs of pastors that I know...or that I heard about. Then it branched out a little to friend's blogs, and the blogs of "friends of friends" and now I am blog-stalking complete strangers across the country!!!

I'm also obsessed with adoption. I think I come by it naturally...my grandma adopted my two sweet aunts (ask me their stories later...I've always loved them and how unique their stories are!)...my mom adopted our sweet little sister...and I can remember at 11 or 12 (while my parents were in the middle of a divorce) begging my mom to adopt the little baby who I had seen on the news that had been found in a dumpster and survived. So, it's in my veins.

My life has taken a road I would not have imagined it would have taken. I'm happy with it. But, the older I get, the more my heart just aches to bring a sweet baby home. In the aching I have become addicted to adoption blogs! Every one I come across (or stalk my way upon) I click back to the very beginning of their story to see what caused them to want to adopt, what struggles they've had, when they got their sweet child (some are still waiting)...I could easily (and am guilty of) spending HOURS reading these stories.

SO...in all of my adoption blog-stalking, I have stumbled upon some as-yet-ignored (by me) information. It isn't information I didn't already have an inkling of or access to...it's just information I chose to ignore. To change the channel on (because those dang commercials make me get a giant lump in my throat).

Information like this:
There are over 145 million orphans in the world.
* The poorest of the poor in America are among the 9% richest in the world.
* There are 45 million orphans on the continent of Africa alone.
* 3/4 of the world lives on less than one dollar a day.
* 6,500 Africans die each day, 1,500 each month (the same amount as were killed by the tsunami) from HIV.
* Every fourteen seconds another child is orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
* 2,102,400 more children become orphans each year (in Africa alone).
* In Ukraine and Russia 10% -15% of children who age out of an orphanage commit suicide before age 18.
* Every hour one thousand children die from HIV/AIDS.

Ethiopian statistics:
* One out of every 20 children born alive die in their first month of life.
* One out of ten die before reaching their first birthday.
* One out of six die before reaching their fifth birthday.
* There are 4.6 million orphans in Ethiopia.
* The median age in Ethiopia is 18.
* 1.5 million people in Ethiopia are infected with AIDS.
* Per capita, Ethiopia receives less aid than any country in Africa.

These statistics...and so many more...are just almost beyond comprehension to me. They are staggering and put my daily "struggles" and "problems" into EXTREME perspective. Even in my most "poor" times (aka college), I still had ramen noodles. I had plenty. I HAVE plenty. And I need to be doing MORE to live out my faith to help these children.

God prompted my heart at Falls Creek that perhaps this blog could be mistaken as just another socially conscious blog. Trust me, it is much more than that. Although the statistics above are astounding...the sheer amount of "lost-ness" in our world is even more heart-wrenching.

Some MORE statistics:
* There are 6.7 BILLION people in the world.
* 5.9 BILLION of those have no relationship with Jesus Christ.
* 4.5 BILLION of those live in a place where the population is less than 2% Christian.
* 1.5 BILLION of those have NEVER heard about Jesus. (That's 5x the population of America).

I know these are not mutually exclusive...meeting physical needs and binding up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1) are the very actions that will bring us close enough to share salvation. It bothers me that I am too comfortable to do that...and I'm asking God to change that about me.

So Long, Farewell...

2008-09-16T18:55:00.001-05:00

"The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don't know what they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino."
~ You've Got Mail

I am officially in mourning. Our lovely and very new Starbucks is closing this week. After only 9 months in business, the powers that be in Seattle have decided that we no longer need their tasty, tantalizing, oh-so-yummy beverages. GRR. There goes my defining sense of self!

So, right as football season and great fall weather are upon us, when I should be enjoying my incredible Starbucks beverage, I will instead end up settling for a sad trip to Circle-K for a not-so-great cup of flavor-of-the-week cappucinno. Boo, hiss and major sadness. Or maybe to avoid the trauma, I will stock up on Starbuck's ground coffee for my office and bust out my fairly blah-tasting creamers and make do with *gulp* homemade coffee *blech*.

In honor of my 9 heavenly months of having my very own Starbuck's...here is my favorite coffee song!

Goodbye, my sweet Grande Vanilla Soy Chai Tea Latte....goodbye.

Homework Queen Bea...

2008-09-16T00:27:00.000-05:00

That's me! :)

I love my job. Really. I'm a big fan of teenagers because they are lively, passionate about what they believe in (even if I don't agree with them sometimes!) and just plain fun to be around. And even though there are times I could pull my hair out...or smack them upside the head...the majority of the time I count down the minutes until 3:05 when the steady stream of cool high school kids start coming in my office doors.

The past couple of days my office...and our intern office...and the TV Room...and Kandy's house....have turned into "homework central". The students had some difficult projects that required some crafty, glitter-hot glue gun-creative type work. I really enjoy getting to spend that time with them. It sharpens me. I'm forced to use some of the junk I learned in my own high school years (and those pesky college years I've never quite completed...I'll probably get on that again soon). And even though I'm quite certain they are all much smarter than me (and I am not a 5th grader)...they are gracious to make me feel like I have somehow contributed to them making a good grade on their "Make-Your-Name-In-Viking-Runes" project (cross our fingers). And yes, I now sort of know how to write viking letters. And can do so in various mediums, including but not limited to: film reel, magazine paper, glitter, fabric and Extreme Sour Punch Belts and Hot Tamales (what a combo, huh?!)

The best part of it is that these tiny investments yield such great rewards. New faces come around...and that leads to new relationships...which the Lord uses to draw people to Him. Last night, that very thing happened. A young man, who's soul was hungry for God and who's life was ripe for harvest, decided that it was his day of salvation. And so...homework reaps salvation! To quote one of my favorite college girls, Whit, "Yay for getting saved!"

Now, let's hope they all get "A's"!!!!!!!

I will post pictures of some of our completed projects some time...assuming they don't get eaten! Is craft glue non-toxic?!

Shiny and New...

2008-09-11T23:17:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my blog. This is not my first foray into blogging, but since I have discovered that the junior high students who are still on MySpace are not that interested in my deep...or most of the time not-so-deep...thoughts on life, I have decided it is time to take the leap into the big-girl world of BLOGGER. I make no promises that my posts and ramblings will, in fact, be "inspiring" to anyone but me...but, at the very least I hope you don't feel like I have wasted your very valuable time!

And, I suppose I should explain the spelling of the blog title. No, I did not misspell it. It is a homage to the name my sweet nephews have given me...Aunt Bea! And yes, I realize that there is not a "B" to be found anywhere in my legal name. It is derived from a nickname given to me years and years (we won't say how many) ago by my sweet friend Daysha. In high school she dubbed me "Cara-Beara", which was eventually shortened to "Beara" and then as semi-adults it was just (and continues to be) "Bear". When I met her lovely (I'm not sure that is an accurate description...but we'll go with it..ha!) husband, this is the name with which I was introduced. FAST-FORWARD to the arrival of my first nephew, Camden. While he was in the hospital, Daysha and Jeff were sweet to come sit with our family. In the waiting room conversations that occurred it came up that "Cara" was quite a difficult name for children to pronounce. I was bummed. So, Jeff...in all his wisdom...suggested that they just call me "Aunt Bea" short for "Bear". And...we were sold!

So there you have it...

Bea Inspired!

Camden and Aunt Bea

(He dressed me up on Easter...it was lovely.)