Untitled

I can't even begin to write and expand on the events that have taken place throughout this summer.  At the beginning of this summer, while finishing up school in Omaha I was so confused as to why I felt the Lord was calling me to come home for the summer.  I wanted to stay in Omaha, spend time with friends, and have a carefree/drama-free summer.  When your plans don't align up with God's, you will soon find it is a must that you move to where He wants you.  In being home this summer, I have been blessed in being one of the worship leader's at my church, working at a job that I love and being blessed by new friendship through it, to be an encourager and supporter for my mom as she went through such a hard/uneasy time of losing her job, of being there for one of my best friends and her family as she watched her grandmother slowly pass away, and to experience God in a way I never have before.
This summer I have learned the definition of true humility.  I used to consider myself a humble person, but was I ever so far away from the definition that God has of humility.  I have not obtained this to the fullest, but am slowly learning what it means.  With this new found humility, I have found the bittersweetness of having to fully apologize for wrong doing before others, and before God.  My friends, when we can fully ask for full forgiveness that is one of the best examples of pure humility.
This morning, I received news that my best friend's grandmother has gone home to be with her Creator.  For her, she is rejoicing and dancing before the King, while the ones who love her are left asking questions and experiencing grief.  In such as times as these, it is hard to bring hope and peace to people.  It is only through the humility and riding of one's self, that others may come to know the hope of our God.  My prayer for you readers, and myself today is this... Let the humility of God fall upon you, and allow it to be practiced in and on all people and places in your life.  If there are bad relationships that have not be resolved, make things right.  The other party may never forgive you or accept this apology, but that my friends is again, another example of your humility.  Let the pride die, and the humility come forth.  I pray, that we will be used to bring this mysterious hope and peace to others, in such times as these.  May we not be so consumed with our own worries, stress, and obligations, that we miss the bigger ones that fall around us.  Be blessed this day, and do the work we have been called to do.

The Dreams that Inspire Us

So about a month ago, the Lord gave me this dream of having my own coffee shop.  This coffee shop wouldn't be a typical coffee shop, but one with a purpose!  During the day I would love to have breakfast foods and bake goods with fresh coffees and teas.  During the day a Daily Special, with panini, soups, and salads.  Then at night a dessert bar with all kinds of coffee drinks, teas, and a mentor/tutoring program for teenagers.  I have been so blessed to have had such an amazing learning experience myself in getting my Elementary Education degree from Grace University, and I want to use this gift and degree for a bigger purpose.  This idea and dream scares me for I don't know anything about business or running one, for that matter.
In talking to my parents, family, and friends about this idea and dream, they are completely excited and on board in partnering with me and seeing this dream become a reality.  There is still much praying and planning to be done, to actually see this happen.  As I am actually writing this post, my mom just called me with news that they have asked her to take over the catering service at the restaurant she works at.  The Lord is Provider.  So friends and family, I ask.  Would you join me in prayer about this dream and plan the Lord has vigorously placed in my heart?  I am so excited about what God is doing and what He is going to do.  If you would like to partner with us in prayer permanently please let me know and I will get you on an e-mail prayer and encouragement update list.  Great things are yet to come!
On a completely different note, I thought I would just share this song with all of you! I heard it on the radio the other day, and beyond the beat and peppy sounds I love the words! Hope this blesses and brings a smile to your face this day!

How did I end up here?

Today I am feeling extremely blessed.  No specific reason, other than I woke up this morning to a beautiful sunrise, two parents I love dearly, and an overwhelmingly sense of joy that God is my Provider.  As some of you may know about a month ago, my mom lost her job.  The reason behind this happening is still unclear and hard to understand, but is proving to be more like a simple act of the enemy.  With this happening, my family had some major decisions to make.  Should my mom file for unemployment, should she find another nursing job, should she retire from nursing, should she retire from working period?  Well with much prayer and consideration my mom decided to fully retire from nursing.  When making this decision, I saw more joy and peace in her than I have in a while.  Prior to all of this happening, one Sunday a lady by the name of Rhonda was visiting our church service.  Before she left, my mom had the privilege of meeting her.  The lady proceeded to tell my mom that they soon would be opening a BBQ restaurant in the town our church is in.  My mom quotes, "At that very moment, I felt the presence of God speaking to my spirit and saying, 'I have a plan and a place for you."  My mom, was confused as to why the Lord would speak that to her, but knew that he was all-knowing and in control of all things.  It wasn't even two weeks later my mom received the news that she lost her job.  A month past, and in that month is when my family prayed and sought the Lord for his direction.  There was no clear answer until about three days ago.  While my mom and dad sat at the dinning room table praying for the Lord's direction, the phone rang.  My mom answered, and much to her surprise it was Rhonda.  Rhonda called my mom in desperation of needing help and begged and asked my mom if she knew of anyone that was needing a job.  My mom began to fill up with tears, in understanding that in the Lord's time, he knows all and does all things for the good of those who love him.
My mom started working at the restaurant and has received so much joy and happiness from that gift of employment that it finds others and myself overjoyed at this blessing.  I named this blog entry "How Did I Get Here" because sometimes it is wise and important for us to reflect on the goodness and direction of God's hands in where he has put us at that very moment and how we got here.  I could write story after story of how God has protected, sustained, and provided for me to be where I am at this very moment.  If you read this, please share a story of how God brought you to a place.  The place may be where you have been, where you are now, or where you feel the Lord is going to take you.  Either way reflect on this day of the grace and provision he gives us in our lives.

Did I find faith at a make-up counter?

Today, my eyes were opened to a brutal reality that many Christian or non-Christians face.  As I was working I stood at my Elizabeth Arden counter, counting down the minutes until it was time for me to go home.  As I was getting ready to close the register and head out for home, a girl that works at the counter across from me came over to talk.  In talking to this girl I noticed such a sweet and gentle spirit about her.  As I listened to her talk, I had to wonder "Does she know God?  Does she know him as her Savior?"  The reason I asked this? I ask this to myself for the mere fact that she exuded more joy and peace in her speech and conduct, than I have seen in a lot of other people that take on the title of "Christian."  I am not naive to the fact that yes, even Christians go through battles, disappointments, trials, and tribulations.  It is in the response to these actions that I see the real "faith" of Christians take on the responsibility that role consist of.  In continuing talking to her, I never found out if she knew Jesus as her Savior, but I do know she is the best example of a life to be lived in their speech, demeanor, and love for others as a Christian should.
So with this, I found faith at the make-up counter.  Through this girl, I saw a real and vulnerable person that simply loves others as they should be loved, and exudes joy abundantly.  This was a great example and reminder to myself to check my attitudes and behaviors and make sure they align with the titles I have taken on, but even more...they are attitudes and behaviors of God.

Morning Glory

Well good morning readers.  I am so excited now that this blog is for the most part up and running.  I sit here at the dinning room table this morning, with my coffee in hand and worship music playing in the background.  I am currently listening to "Divine Romance" by Phil Wickham.  In this song he sings, "In your presence God, I'm completely satisfied." How true is that?  I just had this discussion with a pastor the other day.  It seems as though, when we are in the true and rich presence of God, all time, worry, fear, thoughts, concerns disappear.  How much more then, I have to ask, will heaven be like?  Where we worship for years that are only days in the heavenly realm.
On a different subject, my heart has been aching to go back on the mission field.  Last year at this time, I had just come back home from a month in China.  The experience of being over there will be one I never forget.  I believe that trip shaped and changed me emotionally, spiritually, and compassionately for the heart of missions and for the people that have never heard the gospel.  I don't know as to where my next adventure will be, but I know even if it is just down the street God can move in his time.
Yesterday, the praise band and I sang a song by Jesus Culture called "All Consuming Fire."  It is through this simple verse and chorus song I find the true meaning of aching and longing for God's presence.  There is nothing sweeter.  Whether you are in your local church, bedroom, outside, China, wherever you may be the presence of God can sweep you up like a sweet wind.  Will you come away with him?

My first blog entry ever.

I always laughed at the concept of having an "online diary."  I started thinking about this concept, and thought it may be fun to try and experiment with putting my thoughts, memories, experiences, and questions out there for others to read.  I sit here in my house I have grown up in for many years, staring out of the huge bay window in my dining room.  Did I ever think I would be sitting here at the age of 22 writing a blog? Absolutely not.  Life has taken me to many different places physically, emotionally and spiritually, which somehow have had me to end up here, at this moment, to write this very entry.  I sat at this very table this afternoon with my parents, my grandmother, and two extremely influential people that have recently come into my life.  The two people sitting at the other end of the table today are a married couple that are currently serving as pastors.  They shared with me their experiences of sin, redemption, fear, confusion, and victory.  I have to say, in the past month I have learned and gained more wisdom from my elders than I have my entire life.  In simply listening to these stories of redemption, victory, and failure I have to ask myself...What are my stories?  We all have them.  We all have our failure stories, our stories of heartbreak, love, joy, sin, fear, and simply life lessons. I have recently added a story to my life book that I hope to someday share with my future children.  As of recent, I went out on a limb and excepted the position of being a worship leader at my church.  If any of you reading this know me, you would understand that I several years ago (well several months ago) would never have got up in front of people and demonstrated this hidden gift that God had given me.  Today, I saw a spirit-filled sanctuary will people that are hungry for God, and the best part is; I got to be one of the instruments used in stirring up the might breath of God in that place this morning.  I have so many "stories" I can share, therefore I have started this blog to get them out for me and whoever else may read at their expense.