Peace of Your Heart

Labored breathing. Running thoughts. Pulsating heart. Worry causes all kinds of physical sypmtoms along with the emotional ones that are going on inside. It isn't comforing to feel the side effects of worry outwardly or inwardly as we struggle to understand life and all the ups and downs it offers. However, as I've been learning the hard way, God has it all figured out. He knows what's coming next when we're still stuck on the disappointment of the last thing that went wrong. He knows exactly how we're feeling and what is going on in the deepest parts of our heart even when the ones closest to us have no idea. Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on you because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal." Find peace in the One who made you and understands the troubles of your heart.

Beyond Blessed Part 2

As a continuation of my post yesterday, I want to share about our time in Wales, UK. It was also an amazing experience and opportunity. We were able to partner with a church over there called City Temple and participate in many ministry opportunities that touched the hearts of the people over there as well as our own team. Through this experience, God challenged me in areas of my life that I need to work on and grow in. Although it isn't the most fun, it was definitely needed. He also called me to step out into some ministry opportunities that stretched the boundaries of my comfort level but in the end were so worth the stretch. I am so thankful to have been able to go to both Africa and Wales. They were amazing experiences that will forever impact my life.

Beyond Blessed Part 1

This is my first blog since before I left for Swaziland, Africa. The experience is something that can't be captured with words because it goes so much deeper. Pictures of the kids and the people there continually run through my head reminding me of toothy smiles, sweet laughter and tears of sadness and joy. For me, God brought new perspective through this experience. He revealed to me the outpouring of blessing that has been flowing through my life as I saw kids caring for younger siblings as a result of no parental care, the poverty and lack of village people living out of small huts, the pure looks and touches of adoration towards our team as the kids received love and attention. The opportunities for God to show me the blessing in my life were endless. I sit here now, on the patio with my laptop knowing this luxury alone is more than they would ask for. I can't fully express the impact that was made in my life. Africa and the people there are engraved on my heart forever.

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.

"Lord, I am Coming"

Psalm 27:8 My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."

I love this verse. I hope that anytime we hear God calling us to spend time with him that we respond, "Lord, I am coming." It's so easy for a lot of us to say, "Lord, I am coming but give me a minute." We get wrapped up in the demands of our daily routine and schedule that we don't take the time when he asks us to. I encourage you to make spending time with your heavenly father a priority in life so that when he asks you to spend time with him, you have no trouble responding, "Lord, I am coming."