Chris and Lindy have some extremely exciting news for all of you...HOORAY!!!!
So, I just spent the past three days in Cali with my family for Christmas. It wasn't exactly the family vacation I had pictured, but then again I don't know why I would have thought it was going to be all puppies and roses-not too much in life is. Let's just say there are a few dynamics happening in my family that I am not in full support of and instead of keeping my mouth shut to avoid being quarrelsome, my opinions usually come out tactlessly. As mush as I disagree with some of the things that happen, voicing what I think is right in a way that I always regret it later is probably not the best option either. I often feel stuck between standing up when it's necessary but not my place or biting my tongue and watching the effects of it. It's probably all a control issue anyway, I feel helpless most of the time and that frustrates the heck out of me but I am positive God used this weekend to humble me a lot.
Needless to say, I was pretty ready to come home and for good reason because I got to see my BEAUTIFUL Shan, Tori and Breanna. Worship was great in the 5pm service and Jeff did the message so you know that was good. Then we got dinner and Golden Spoon and got to spend some time in good conversations. I even met Jenna finally! This has been a long awaited meeting. I feel like God used this night to lift my spirits again.
Then, I got on Facebook and clicked on Shauna's page only to find that she had posted pictures of her trip to Israel. I literally sat at my computer just crying looking at her pictures. She walked where Jesus walked. Saw where He washed the feet of His disciples. Went to the Sea of Galilee. Saw Mary's tomb. You have got to be kidding me. There was something overwhelmingly sacred, holy, REAL about looking at those images and knowing that Shauna stepped in each of those places. JESUS CHRIST, GOD, WAS IN THOSE PLACES! Can you believe that?! Sometimes I think we get so wrapped up in OUR life, OUR wants, OUR "needs", OUR pains, OUR pressures and we forget that Christ went through the ultimate suffering. "Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted" Hebrews 2:18. This life is about Christ and His kingdom being furthered, not OURs. I think it's crucial that we stop and take a look at our lives sometimes, are we really in pursuit of making heaven on Earth? Are we seeking first His kingdom, are we after His heart, are we pursuing ALL things for His glory? He can only help us through our suffering if we let Him. And, wouldn't you rather be suffering for something bigger than this life? If I'm going to suffer, I want it to be for the sake of the gospel, for Christ, for His kingdom. All I am is His.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
North Carolina!!
I just got home from 4 full days in North Carolina (and 2 days of ridiculous traveling-3 cancelled flights, delays, etc.) and I miss it already! I feel like I have so much to blog about from this trip that I don't know where to start.
Chris & Lindy
This is truly a couple after the Lord's heart. After listening to stories from Chris and Lindy about their time in Kenya and everything God is doing through them there, it sparked my desire to be a servant as they are and as God calls us to be. I feel like I have been severely distracted by so many things in AZ since I've been home and it has been effecting my devotional time. Recently, I have been fighting to spend time with God and pick up on His voice; it has been an unwanted struggle. This weekend was a refreshing reminder to slow down and focus my eyes on Christ. Lindy's parents are unbelievably amazing. They were so sweet to welcome me in and let me stay with them (even an extra night). Max's delicious breakfasts were enough to make me gain 10 pounds, and they were well worth it! Lindy's mom is so sweet, I really can't say enough great things about her hospitality. I also FINALLY got to meet Mr. Levi Rollins for the first time! After seeing all of his adorable pictures in Africa, which did not do him justice, it was nice to spend some time with precious baby Levi and meet Beth and Matt (Lindy's brother and sister in law). Their family is tender :)
Friday Lindy, Max and I got the opportunity to go up to Blue Ridge Mountain and stay the night with Lindy's grandma. It was absolutely beautiful and guess what, God even gave us snow! It was only a few flurries, but I was elated! After a delicious home cooked meal, Lindy's grandma beat us all in an intense game of Scrabble. Then on Saturday Lindy and I got to 4 wheel around the mountains, taking in the breathtaking scenery. Lex Luther (their dog) even followed us for a while. At one point we found a horse and I felt it necessary to braid its hair :) Then on the way back we stopped by a creek to look at the icicles and we came across a log. Lindy asked if I thought we could "jump it", in which I responded, "no." Well, we tried it anyway and completely got it stuck! Haha, luckily we are strong ladies and were able to push it over the log the rest of the way! Below are pictures for your enjoyment.
The Beaver family
That night I got to meet another family in active pursuit of God's will. Their story is remarkable and I encourage everyone to check out their blog. Jessica and Luke are truly heroes in my eyes for everything they do on a day to day basis. We got to play homemade Boulderdash. How do you do that you ask...you pick random words out of the dictionary and then everyone has to guess the definition or make up one that they find fitting. Needless to say, it turned out super funny! It was really great to spend some time with them and hear about God's calling for their lives.
The next day I had the pleasure of being introduced to Kim, Casey, Sam and Joe. These are really close friends of Chris and Lindy's. That night we played a game called "Quip it" which turned out to be rather hysterical. "I'm crazy hampster cage lady. I have a cage full of hungry gerbals on my chest so give me some candy!!" (that's for you Chris &Lindy). The next day Kim told Lindy she had something for me before I went home so we stopped by and helped her and the boys bake gingerbread cookies. Some of you know about the framed picture of Kibera with the "God of This City" lyrics by Chris Tomlin on it that Chris and Lindy have in their home in Kenya. Well, I told Kim the story about how when I spoke at Cornerstone they played that song and all I could think about was that picture and I just started crying. Wouldn't you know, she had an extra copy of it and had it framed for me! You know I cried all over again when she handed it to me.
Oh, and just to paint a picture of Joe and Sam (Kim and Casey's little boys), while Chris and Lindy were in Africa they saved up their allowance, which turned out to be $15 to buy Hotwheels toys for the kids in Kibera! How many little boys give up their allowances so that children on the other side of the world can have toys? When Lindy and I were over on Monday Joe asked Lindy when he could go to Africa! Now that sounds like a missionary in the making :) a true servant willing to follow God anywhere, bless his heart. Let's just say spending time with their family was such a blessing.
The Bowers Family
Lastly, my flight was cancelled on Monday night and rescheduled to Tuesday morning at 6am (a flight that was also cancelled, but that's another story). That meant I got to go out to dinner with Chris & Lindy, the pastor of their church Michael and his beautiful wife Emily. Let's just say I was sitting at the Olive Garden dinner table in tears after hearing Michael and Emily share their story. This couple has three beautiful children and is in the middle of adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia. This process has been extremely long and emotionally draining, but God has been noticeably working in their family's lives throughout it. Emily explained that it has given them a fresh set of eyes on what it means to be in the adopted family of God. Michael chimed in with how it has and will continue to be the ultimate way to show their children what this Love looks like. To reach out to this baby girl who might never be shown true love and what it means to love/be loved and then bring her into a family and share Christ's love with her is the perfect portrayal of what God has done for us. They know God has laid this upon their hearts and will fully equip them for the work they are about to do. It's no secret that there will be trials as this blessing is welcomed into their care, but that only makes their reliance on and trust in the Lord that much more inspiring.
I can't even believe all of the amazing Godly families I met over the past few days. Every time Chris and Lindy introduced me to someone new I was blown away by their open-armed kindness and passion for the Lord. I kept thinking, "this is how I want my family to look someday" and every time I met a new family, I felt the same way. I did not meet one person over the weekend that I didn't wasn't motivated and encouraged by to walk humbly with our God.
Chris & Lindy
This is truly a couple after the Lord's heart. After listening to stories from Chris and Lindy about their time in Kenya and everything God is doing through them there, it sparked my desire to be a servant as they are and as God calls us to be. I feel like I have been severely distracted by so many things in AZ since I've been home and it has been effecting my devotional time. Recently, I have been fighting to spend time with God and pick up on His voice; it has been an unwanted struggle. This weekend was a refreshing reminder to slow down and focus my eyes on Christ. Lindy's parents are unbelievably amazing. They were so sweet to welcome me in and let me stay with them (even an extra night). Max's delicious breakfasts were enough to make me gain 10 pounds, and they were well worth it! Lindy's mom is so sweet, I really can't say enough great things about her hospitality. I also FINALLY got to meet Mr. Levi Rollins for the first time! After seeing all of his adorable pictures in Africa, which did not do him justice, it was nice to spend some time with precious baby Levi and meet Beth and Matt (Lindy's brother and sister in law). Their family is tender :)
Friday Lindy, Max and I got the opportunity to go up to Blue Ridge Mountain and stay the night with Lindy's grandma. It was absolutely beautiful and guess what, God even gave us snow! It was only a few flurries, but I was elated! After a delicious home cooked meal, Lindy's grandma beat us all in an intense game of Scrabble. Then on Saturday Lindy and I got to 4 wheel around the mountains, taking in the breathtaking scenery. Lex Luther (their dog) even followed us for a while. At one point we found a horse and I felt it necessary to braid its hair :) Then on the way back we stopped by a creek to look at the icicles and we came across a log. Lindy asked if I thought we could "jump it", in which I responded, "no." Well, we tried it anyway and completely got it stuck! Haha, luckily we are strong ladies and were able to push it over the log the rest of the way! Below are pictures for your enjoyment.
The Beaver family
That night I got to meet another family in active pursuit of God's will. Their story is remarkable and I encourage everyone to check out their blog. Jessica and Luke are truly heroes in my eyes for everything they do on a day to day basis. We got to play homemade Boulderdash. How do you do that you ask...you pick random words out of the dictionary and then everyone has to guess the definition or make up one that they find fitting. Needless to say, it turned out super funny! It was really great to spend some time with them and hear about God's calling for their lives.
The next day I had the pleasure of being introduced to Kim, Casey, Sam and Joe. These are really close friends of Chris and Lindy's. That night we played a game called "Quip it" which turned out to be rather hysterical. "I'm crazy hampster cage lady. I have a cage full of hungry gerbals on my chest so give me some candy!!" (that's for you Chris &Lindy). The next day Kim told Lindy she had something for me before I went home so we stopped by and helped her and the boys bake gingerbread cookies. Some of you know about the framed picture of Kibera with the "God of This City" lyrics by Chris Tomlin on it that Chris and Lindy have in their home in Kenya. Well, I told Kim the story about how when I spoke at Cornerstone they played that song and all I could think about was that picture and I just started crying. Wouldn't you know, she had an extra copy of it and had it framed for me! You know I cried all over again when she handed it to me.
Oh, and just to paint a picture of Joe and Sam (Kim and Casey's little boys), while Chris and Lindy were in Africa they saved up their allowance, which turned out to be $15 to buy Hotwheels toys for the kids in Kibera! How many little boys give up their allowances so that children on the other side of the world can have toys? When Lindy and I were over on Monday Joe asked Lindy when he could go to Africa! Now that sounds like a missionary in the making :) a true servant willing to follow God anywhere, bless his heart. Let's just say spending time with their family was such a blessing.
The Bowers Family
Lastly, my flight was cancelled on Monday night and rescheduled to Tuesday morning at 6am (a flight that was also cancelled, but that's another story). That meant I got to go out to dinner with Chris & Lindy, the pastor of their church Michael and his beautiful wife Emily. Let's just say I was sitting at the Olive Garden dinner table in tears after hearing Michael and Emily share their story. This couple has three beautiful children and is in the middle of adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia. This process has been extremely long and emotionally draining, but God has been noticeably working in their family's lives throughout it. Emily explained that it has given them a fresh set of eyes on what it means to be in the adopted family of God. Michael chimed in with how it has and will continue to be the ultimate way to show their children what this Love looks like. To reach out to this baby girl who might never be shown true love and what it means to love/be loved and then bring her into a family and share Christ's love with her is the perfect portrayal of what God has done for us. They know God has laid this upon their hearts and will fully equip them for the work they are about to do. It's no secret that there will be trials as this blessing is welcomed into their care, but that only makes their reliance on and trust in the Lord that much more inspiring.
I can't even believe all of the amazing Godly families I met over the past few days. Every time Chris and Lindy introduced me to someone new I was blown away by their open-armed kindness and passion for the Lord. I kept thinking, "this is how I want my family to look someday" and every time I met a new family, I felt the same way. I did not meet one person over the weekend that I didn't wasn't motivated and encouraged by to walk humbly with our God.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Previous Blog Explained.
Many people have come to me concerned about my last post so I am sorry I have not addressed it sooner, but here is the necessary explanation and the source of my last blog. I am currently taking a Women's Studies course at ASU and throughout the class numerous issues have come up in relation to feminism, abortion and religion. I am happy to report that I have taken the opportunities to lovingly and tactfully handle all of the arguments made in opposition to the bible. This post in particular caught my attention because at first glance I felt challenged. Nothing about the comparison sat right with me, but I had trouble defining why I felt that way. I posted it on my blog and Facebook to see how other people would respond to it. I was definitely pleasantly surprised with the intense and intelligent responses. Just to make it clear, I do NOT think the two situations are even remotely comparable and I made that very clear in my assignment for the course. It surprised me how many people in my class argued that abortion is essential for "women's freedom". Almost every single response posted took that stance. It just further supports my belief that ASU needs A LOT of prayer, along with countless other colleges across the country. Also, my views on abortion are in complete alignment with Todd Philip's blog which is accessible if you click on his name from my last post. Keep your thoughts comin guys!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
