Sacrifice

God has been bringing Abraham to my mind so much lately as I grow in my faith. Hebrews 11:17-19 says "It was by faith that Abraham offered his son Issac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Issac, even though God had told him Issac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted. Abraham reasoned that if Issac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead."

Abraham's faith is an example to us all. He was willing to sacrifice his own son to obey God. He was willing to give it all up. God wanted to test Abraham to see if he would obey and do such a difficult thing, kill his own son. Abraham had waited so long for this son and finally he was here.. only to be sacrificed?! After God saw Abraham's willingness, he blessed Abraham and made him the father of many generations to come. Abraham's line experienced their share of difficulty, but God always came back to bless them. With sacrifice comes a blessing. Why even second guess God when he tells us to do something.. no matter how difficult, he always has a purpose, and the outcome is above and beyond what we could ever hope for or imagine.

I want faith like Abraham. I want to be able to step out and sacrifice for God no matter what the cost. Sacrifice and suffering only prepare us for the amazing life that God has in store. I can't wait to see what comes out of my sacrifices and my hardships. It's only just begun! I am standing firm on the promises that God has for me. I am confident that he will see every good work that he has begun in me to completion. I just have to put all of my focus on him.

Kickin'

I just had a thought.. not profound, not deep and wise, but simple and somewhat stupid. Do you ever just want to go up and kick someone? You don't need to tell them why.. but just go up and simply give them a little. I think if I could do that every now and then i would be a happier girl and a little less frustrated at some folks.. I could start a "kick list" if I needed to. I would love to hear your feedback.. feel free to share you kick list with me. I won't publish it.. I promise.. I'll just send warnings to those who may get a kick soon. =) love y'all!!

Lighten it Up!

Ok, so many serious blogs.. let's lighten it up a little! Doesn't my dog look like an old man. I love my prescious boy!!!

Stick with the Plan

This is SO where I am at right now. About three months ago I felt God telling me "Three Months" I had no idea what that meant,but that timeframe was a recurring theme.. Well.. God has opened several doors in my life, One to move out of the house into an apt. with another girl, and another to start a bible study and step out of a ministry that I have been involved with at chruch. sometimes we have to step out of the boat to receive the blessings that God has for us. One door can't be opened until the previous door is shut.. Here is a passage I got from my dear friend Jennifer yesterday. The timing coulden't have been more perfect...

Then Peter got... out of the boat, walked on the water... toward Jesus.
Matthew 14:28-29 NIV
Peter proved that as long as you keep your eyes on Jesus and stick to the plan, you won't go under. Notice:
(1) Before you get into something, make sure it's God's will for you! Peter said, "Lord, if it's You, bid me to come to You on the water" and Jesus said, "Come." Before you take on something like water-walking, pray and be sure God's in it. In other words, get God's plan and stick to it. (2) Don't expect everybody in the boat to go with you. Water-walking is a lonely calling; it sets you apart from those who are timid and security-minded. It also tends to bring criticism from those who think you're making them look bad by contrast. (3) If you wait for good weather you'll miss your moment. When Jesus said, "Come," they were in the middle of a storm. Face it; we'd all like the stars to line up, or some big donor to underwrite the whole project before we make a move. But how often does that happen? Peter wasn't walking on the water; he was walking on the Word! What has God told you to do? Stop waiting for ideal conditions and start doing it! (4) Don't expect a mistake-free performance. Nobody walks without fluctuation. The Bible describes its heroes in one sentence: "Whose weakness was turned to strength" (Hebrews 11:34 NIV). All the great men and women of God you admire go through sinking spells when they cry out, "Lord, save me." And do you know what? He does! And He'll do the same for you.

dedicated to Candice Carter

I think the recurring theme here on my blog is definately the fact that I am blessed with some amazing women in my life. Candice Carter is definately one of them. My dear friend is set to have her second baby girl any day now.. Candice gets frustrated when things are happeneing when they are supposed to happen.. and wow.. we all can relate with that! I just have to say how proud I am of her and how she handles the stresses in life with more grace and beauty that I have never seen out of anyone. She is my inspiration and I think the world of this amazing girl! Hang in there Candice. God has his blessing and calm just waiting for you. I love you!

Friday Night Football

The highlight of my weekend was most definately the FACS football game this past Friday night! I have been volunteering with Make A Wish the past year or so and one of our kids got to be the official captain of Friday night's game.

My friend Parul and I met Austin and his family several months ago. He was one of our first kids to interview and right away we fell in love with this adorable blonde-headed boy and his mother (who is my age) Shana. Austin is only 4 years old and has suffered with a form of Leukemia that effects his brain. Austin has tumors all over his brain and has suffered with the effects of several seizures over his short lifespan. He is doing very well now and so full of life and is so much fun.

In July, Make A Wish made it possible for Austin to travel to Green Bay and visit his favorite football team, the Green Bay Packers. Austin toured the stadium and met the full Packer's team, Including his favorite player, Brett Favre. As a sending off party, an enhancement in Make A WIsh terms, Austin was made a Crusader Football player for the day.

He arrived at the stadium to greet his team in the locker room. They did some weight training with him and then took him to the locker room where he had his own locker with his name, a football just his size, and jersey #1. Austin immediatly took off his own shirt and put his new Jersey on . Austin is a Crusader! The rest of the afternoon was his day. He ran down to the field with the team to be greeted by an announcer, cheerleaders and Crusader fans.

The team was great with him and invited him back. That's when this past Friday comes in. Austin and his family arrived at the stadium. As soon as he got there.. Austin was asking for "his team" =) He ran down with the team and was announced as the official captain of the game. He went out for the coin toss and then later hung out in the locker room at half time.

It was a magical night for Austin. He will forever be in the hearts and memories of those High School guys who have something more meaningful to look after outside of themselves. This is why I love Make A Wish. This particular situation coulden't have gone much better. To give is far better than to receive!

The Crusaders won their game. They played very well! God blessed their efforts and this stellar act of kindness to this young boy suffering with a disease that no child that young should ever have to deal with.

Simply Faith

Mark 11:22-24

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain "Go throw yourself in the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!

It's as simple as that. Take this absolute truth and be blessed today friends.

Refined for Excellence

I just want to say how blessed I am to have some pretty amazing women in my life as friends. I just got done reading my friend Laura's blog and the women oozes with God's love. I can't tell you how thankful I am to be in such amazing company. These women: Candice, April, Jennifer, Laura.. the list goes on and on.. are true gems who reflect God in all that they do. That is what I strive to be.

I have been reading a book by Priscilla Shirer called a Jewel in His Crown: Becoming a woman of Excellence. I have only read one chapter and I'm already inspired. In this Chapter, Priscilla highlights several women, who are Jewels in God's crown. She talks about how amazing these women are, but they aren't amazing out of nothing. They too have struggled and been in need and experienced things just like the rest of us. For example, Elizabeth Elliot, she had her heart broken. She only loved one man, Jim, and she waited about 5 years to marry him. During that time she kept herself pure and loved no other. It was only a month and ½ after they were married that he was killed in the jungle. Look at her life! She could have let tragedy bring her down, but she kept on and formed a ministry that has led 100's of people to the Lord and inspired women and men alike to live their lives to the utmost.

Wow! Hardship only refines the jewels that we are. Through hardship we are made more clear, more beautiful and more valuable. Not only that, but we are able to withstand so much more. I want to be a woman like that.

Simple Joys

I had such a great weekend! I drove over to Nashville to visit my little brother who moved there about two weeks ago. There was a bonus to this trip, my brother had a lady friend that he had met and hit it off with at camp this summer visiting him for 5 days. So.. I jumped on the opportunity to check her out. I started out the day visiting a good friend of mine, Nicole, who lives in a beautiful home with her husband and two kids. She and I have a real connection, we picked up right where we left off. I just love those kinds of friends. After a great visit with Nicole, I drove to the Nashville zoo to meet Jonathan and Sarah. The day was beautiful!! A great breeze. It's amazing what simple pleasures like going to the zoo and being in good company can entertain you and create a great memory. I really enjoyed getting to know Sarah. I am so happy for my brother and his new found interest. I wish them both the best!

AFter a wonderful weekend in Nashville, I came home to finish up house sitting. I love house sitting, but this couple was gone for two weeks and I was definately ready to get to my own house. It's tough moving between two houses.. You loose things! =)

Last night I went with the youth of First Assembly to a park near downtown Memphis. In England, we were inspired to reach out to our city. We don't want to just hand them tracks and say "Jesus loves you", we want to build relationships and show them love, simple as that. Audrey and I were able to talk with and pray with a lady named Shirley who has had her share of troubles in life. She really opened up to us and said after our prayer, a burden was lifted. That experience really lifted me up.

God has been showing me in such a real way how fulfilling reaching out really is. I could sulk in my not so ideal circumstances, but I don't. When i'm reaching out and loving people, that is when i'm the happiest. I am in my element. Nothing can bring me down. Sunday night I had a slump. But when I got back into loving people and diving into the word through prayer and spending time with the Lord, I was ok. Reaching out is the best guarantee to find joy. I pray that God continues to give me opportunities to look beyond myself and see the needs of others. That is one of my greatest desires.

Achievement

So yeah.. I'm sitting here at work sipping on my Coca-Cola. This beverage serves as my lunch/caffiene boost/happy moment for the afternoon. I went to Target for my lunch break and of course I could not leave with empty hands. I went looking for a pair of brown tights and left the parking lot with brown and black tights, 4 shirts and one pair of oh so comfortable shorts. Ahh.. the shopping addiction strikes again! Speaking of addictions.. I stayed up late, once again to marvel over the Women's all around gymnastics competition. This time I shared my enthusiasm and watched it with my good friend, newly engaged, Raegan Haser. She lost consciousness near midnight, but I stayed awake despite my fatigue, to witness some of the best women in the world compete for the gold. I must say.. I am so proud of our US girls, Nastia and Shawn. They made their events look like child's play. I was so stinkin impressed! What a great night! Back to the newley engaged friend, Raegan, I am so excited for my dear friend. I realized the other night that I could be one of those crazy bitter single girls that can't stand to hear the news of another friend engaged, but I'm happy to say that I'm not! It's all God. Congratulations Raegan! I love you!

Kickin' Back

I was inspired to do the blog thing by my good friend Jennifer Goodwin. I've alway been facinated by this "art" and it's about time I try it for myself. I have always been a journaler and enjoy making things look pleasing to the eye, so this should be fun. The true test will be if I can keep up with it amidst my musy schedule!! We shall see. This week has been a lot slower. I have been so busy.. basically non-stop with activities at church and volunteering for make-a-wish. This week i've been able to finally kick back and relax (maybe now I can get rid of this month long cold). My favorite couch potato activity for the week has definately been Women's Gymnastics and the Olympic Games. I am mezmerized! Wow.. those ladies make you feel like you've wasted most of your life and that you are totally out of shape.. love it anyway.. Go USA!! More specifically.. you gotta love little Shawn Johnson! Go Shawn! I'll be glued to the tube tonight.. cheering her and Nastia on.