Stepping Out

As many of you know, Kylie (my sister) and I will be going on a mission trip to Swaziland in June. We are super excited about it and can't wait to see what God is going to do through us for the people there and also what he will do through the people to change us. I just thought I'd share a little bit of the story for how it all came to be.

I am attending the School of Worship at New Life Church and living with a family that attends and took their entire family (all 6 of them) to Swazi last year. I found out they were going again this year to lead the trip. I mentioned something about it to my mom and she informed me that my sister had shared with her and my dad this summer that at summer camp she felt like God had placed Africa on her heart. At the time she shared that, they were thinking, "How is she going to get to Africa?" My mom told my sister about the trip and she said a pretty instant YES to going. I was wanting to go but praying about whether or not I should because I felt like it would be a good stretch for my sister to go on her own with the team from New Life and I was also very concerned about money. However, about a month later I was praying about it and God told me to GO. The very next morning there was a video annoucement on the church update and God confirmed in my heart that I was to go. It has been a leap of faith for my whole family but God has proved faithful as we've watched tons of family and friends commit to support us in prayer and or financially. He never calls us to something that won't be possible with him. THANK YOU to all who have made this dream possible!

Your Treasure

I just wanted to share a poem I wrote the other day.
Nothing extravagent but I hope it speaks to you!

Your Treasure

You call my name, pulling me in
Your arms outstretched ready to receive
My doubts, my fears, and endless sin
Love so deep it's hard to believe

You've been present all along
In my disbelief that you were there
Singing over me in sweet song
Revealing great proof that you care

In shame and sadness you still see
My underneath, soft heart behind
Peel back the cover and it's me
Your treasure that you continually find

God-Sized Dreams

If your dreams are things you can do yourself, they aren't God-sized. God has put this statement on my heart for the last few days and I felt led to share it with you. Many times we feel like the dreams we have are "big" in the sense that they are things that will take a lot of hard work and include some challenges for us. However, (not that God-sized dreams don't include work and challenge on our part) if our dreams aren't making us ask the question, "How am I going to do this in my own strength?" our dreams are NOT God-sized. God-sized dreams require the strength and help of God to accomplish and carry out, they aren't dreams that can come true in the strength of man alone. Think about the dreams you have for your life and ask the question, "Is this something I can do in my own strength?" If it is, maybe it's time to dream bigger. Dream of things that are God-breathed and require his help to accomplish. Live out the dreams that God has placed within you, nothing is TOO big for him. He created you to thrive, not just survive.