love, love, love

I am so utterly and completely in LOVE with God right now.  I love His awesome power, His mercy, His justice, and His immeasurable love.  How did I become so lucky as to have the best person in the whole universe be my best friend/ my everything?  I am in awe that someone who knows everyone and everything on this earth cares enough about me to Help and Hold me every single second of my life.  God is beyond our knowledge; there is no possible way for us to ever grasp His vastness yet, He comes down to earth in Spirit to live INSIDE of me.  He is always here with me!   I tend to forget that as I go throughout my days.  Everything I do He knows about.  So, when I am thinking about how crappy the day is or how unattractive I look He is being offended.  I am making Him so mad at me.  He created each and everyday for a purpose.  He created me!  I am His best piece of art, yet when I do not have confidence in myself it is like I am taking His masterpiece and writing it off saying, "it could have been better."

Not OK.  I am so happy that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God, by my friend.  He created me and said I am beautiful.  He created my beauty for a purpose, He will NEVER leave His dwelling place inside me.  WOW.  Psalm 139 lays all of this out beautifully, and this will be my focus for the rest of eternity.
 
I am in Love with Your LOVE.

time

Time is of the essence, time flies.

The concept of time is inconceivable.  Each day can seemingly take eternity or it can fly by in a blink of an eye.  Each day can be easy, a breeze, or terribly difficult.  How each day manages to be so unique is beyond me and no matter how hard I try this is only one of the many mysteries of life I will not be able to figure out.  And, I am surprisingly OK with that.  There is no rhyme or reason to the variance of days.  Except there is... For God controls all things, in Him there is a time for everything.

I find comfort in that.  Lord, give me patience and strength  to make it through each different day, taking one day at a time.

spring is springing!

Today I had the pleasure of viewing some amazingly beautiful and inspiring first-blooms of Madison.  These tiny blue flowers sprinkling the lawn outside of Brge Hall has a bigger impact on my day than I ever thought flowers could.  Not only did they represent winter receding back into his dark cave but, the emergence of sleepy spring slowly but surely coming out to greet us all.  Through the still brown and dead grass, hope poked its head showing me that there is everything in the world to have hope for. 

Immediately after seeing these beauties I thought of Song of Solomon, how he is telling his beloved that the beauty of spring and the abundance of life and happiness that flow along with it are coming!  See! The winter is past; the rains come and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.  The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance come my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.  Song of Solomon 2:11-13.

 Um yes please!  Yes, Iwill come with You, I will follow you with the hope of more and more beauty and life.  I will come with You for renewal for strength.  I want You to surround me with the renewal of Your springtime.

mishpat

Justice (n)- The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.

Ok, sure but what does just mean?  The idea of justice truly boggles my mind; I have no idea where to even begin to think about this hugely important subject.  How is my life going to be changed by justice? What is my place, my purpose in God's justice mission?  How am I going to share the grace so generously given to me justly?

These are just a few of the many questions without answers floating around in my head after the 3rd week hearing about JUSTICE at church (you can watch these sermons here). 

Today I started reading Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just by Timothy Keller and have already begun to feel immense challenges.  Already Keller has rooted in my mind the fact that God's justice mission is bigger than I could have possibly imagened.  In fact, His mission is so big that the name He wants to be called is, "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows" (Psalm 68:4-5).  WOW.... this is a lot bigger than I thought.

I want to be a part of this, I want to act justly, walk humbly, showing mercy and love.  I can only hope I am worth of this calling.

live from Milwaukee

Last night I got to experience another amazing live music perfrormance by Amos Lee.  And, surprise, surprise, I fell in love with the pure awesome sound that filled my night.  The Riverside theater was filled with Amos' unique and utterly beautiful voice as I stood their surrounded by his fans having the pleasure to hear the melodies. 

I wish every night of mine could be filled with live passion stemming from the core of musicians.  The utter happiness I experience after concerts is only comparable to the runner's high I feel after the endorphins kick in after an amazing workout. 

A truly amazing end to the week, this concert was a perfect combination of friends, good music, and happiness.

friday, friday

Inspired by Rebecca Black I am so so excited for friday!  After a long and arduous week full of tests (both in school and in life) I am so grateful that it is finally friday.  This friday is a day of many reflections over the roller-coaster ride that was the past week.

This week I realized that my teammates have my back and are watching out for me.  I am truly blessed to be a part of that family (no matter how dysfunctional it may be at times).

I realized that I love technology, no other way would I be able to learn about the struggles in Japan and the Middle East while looking up the latest viral youtube and catching up with old friends.

I realized that without God as my shepherd this week I would be struggling to stay afloat, but in Him and with His Spirit I am able to see the joy in life and take heart.

I realized today that no matter how far away God may seem, He is never ever away from my presence.  When it seems like He is on the other end of the universe and I am frustrated with Him beyond measurement, I tend to turn away from Him.  "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 4:29).  In those moments of desperation and fear I will find God with me even then, in my darkest hour.  All I have to do is look and listen.

I have tried the whole listening more to God this week and lo and behold, it made all the difference in the world.  Through these trials I have heard His comfort in the strong gusts of wind rushing off of the lake.  I have heard Him express His love for me through music.  I have heard His anguish and sadness over my departure from His side in the thunderstorms.  Little by little I am learning how to listen.

Lord, I pray that I forevermore listen to your little nuances throughout my days.  I pray that I have constant reminders of love and compassion for me.  Lord, bless me and keep me, uphold me with your righteous right hand.  I am so grateful for the wonders you have done in my life this past week. Amen.

uncontrollable

Sometimes thing happen that are totally and utterly out of your control.  There is nothing you could have done to change them no matter how much you try.  There is no going back; what's done is done; the past is in the past.  A part of you turns and hides from the world, realizing that it is safer to recede than to prowl openly on the surface.  And, the scariest thing is that it is out of your hands, uncontrollable. 

Thankfully Jesus is my light and my salvation, and I will focus on the things above.  

The Lord is my light and my salvation-

    so why should I be afraid?

The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,

    so why should I tremble?

When evil people come to devour me,

    when my enemies and foes attack me,

    they will stumble and fall.

Though a mighty army surrounds me,

    my heart will not be afraid.

Even if i am attacked,

    I will remain confident.

The one thing I ask of the Lord-

    the thing I seek most-

is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

    delighting in the Lord's perfections

    and meditating in his Temple.

For he will conceal me there when troubles come;

    he will hide me in his sanctuary.

    He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

There I will hold my head high

    above my enemies who surround me.

At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,

    singing and praising the Lord with music.                     <--------------while listening to this song (Praise You  

Hear me as I pray, o Lord.                                                                        in this Storm by Casting Crowns) 

    Be merciful and answer me!                                                                       during the thunderstorm outside, I find 

My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me."                         I love the fact that You are my help in 

    And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."                                       the storm.  You are the all-powerful

Do not turn your back on me.                                                                        everything to me.  You never will leave

    Do not reject your servant in anger.                                                       me and for that I praise You.

    You have always been my helper.

Don't leave me now; don't abandon me,

    O God of my salvation!

Even if my father and mother abandon me,

    the Lord will hold me close.

Teach me how to life, O Lord.

    Lead me along the right path,

    for my enemies are waiting for me.

Do not let me fall into their hands.

    For they accuse me of things I've never done;

    with every breath they threaten me with violence.

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness

    while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the Lord.

    Be brave and courageous.

    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 27

God you are amazing, thank you for using Callie to speak to me and to help me find Your peace and Your help.  Every tear I cry You hold in Your hand, but I will continue to praise You in this storm.

blessed

San Juan de la Cruz Noche oscura ...Aquesta me guiaba más cierto que la luz del mediodía adonde me esperaba quien yo bien me sabía en parte donde naide parecía. ¡Oh noche que guiaste! ¡oh noche amable más que la alborada!; ¡oh noche que juntaste, Amado con amada, amada en el Amado transformada! En mi pecho florido, que entero para él solo se guardaba, allí quedó dormido, y yo le regalaba, y el ventalle de cedros aire daba. El aire del almena, cuando yo sus cabellos esparcía, con su mano serena en mi cuello hería, y todos mis sentidos suspendía. Quedéme y olvidéme, el rostro recliné sobre el Amado; cesó todo y dejéme, dejando mi cuidado entre las azucenas olvidado.

...This light guided me More surely than the light of noonday To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me -- A place where none appeared. Oh, night that guided me, Oh, night more lovely than the dawn, Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, Lover transformed in the Beloved! Upon my flowery breast, Kept wholly for himself alone, There he stayed sleeping, and I caressed him, And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze. The breeze blew from the turret As I parted his locks; With his gentle hand He wounded my neck And caused all my senses to be suspended. I remained, lost in oblivion; My face I reclined on the Beloved. All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.

Thank You my light, my love, mi amor.  Let me get lost in Your oblivion.  Thank You for amazing friends, for lessons, for Your breath.  Thank You for guiding me home and trying to fix me.  Thank You for YL, the joy and life of those who come to enjoy You.  Thank you for being here to focus on, I need You now to be my one light my one guiding light.

Fix You by Coldplay

Lights will guide you home

and ignite your bones

and I will try to fix you

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were 

happening to you.  But rejoice insofar you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is 

revealed.  if you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit and glory of God rests upon you."

1 Peter 4:12-14 

calling

There has been an on going question taking hold of my mind, body, and soul the past few days that I have been oblivious to until this moment.  Everywhere I turn there seems to be something, anything, everything asking me the question of Am I listening???

Am I hearing God's voice above all the noise and ruckus that is my worldly life?

Each day God has slipped in little nuances telling me to listen up.  While in the Grand Canyon reading and lounging at a secret spot a family was also enjoying the 300 degree view of the canyon from a spot farther away from the drop-off of the edge of the rock.  After a while the father decided to bring his son out farther to see just how magnificent the canyon really was and also to grab a quick picture.  Now, seeing as the dad was a tad bit afraid of heights, he was continually issuing commands to his son making sure to keep him safe.  He was overheard saying, "Sit still! Don't move! Keep your feet right there!" and my all time favorite he questioned his child to see if "his listening ears were on."  Not knowing the effect this would have on me his little son replied "they are at 101!"  Looking back on this interaction now I fully understand why this stuck out in my mind, God (my Father) wants me to constantly have my listening ears tuned all the way up to 101.  Since I so much crave child-like faith, I have to remember just what it felt like to be a child always having to listen to my parents who love me unconditionally and who tell me things that help me along the way.

This morning I found myself in the book of Numbers and, surprise surprise, I found myself wondering if I am really listening.  In Numbers 22-24, God speaks out to a pagan prophet known as Balaam.  This raised a lot of questions in my head: Since when did God talk to those who totally went against His covenant, against his laws?  (I had just gotten done reading Leviticus so all those rules, regulations, covenants, and laws were fresh in my mind.)  So, as my mind churned over this newly found information I wondered if since God spoke out to Balaam and called him to recite what he had been told, then God has got to be trying to do the same in my life... But, then why am I not always hearing what He has to say?

I want to know how God is moving, I want to know what He is thinking, I want to know of all His beauty He has so freely given.  So, why am I not hearing a lot of this?  I find myself distracted very easily by the sounds of the world.  I find my mind wandering to the plans I have for myself that day or the worries and struggles I will have to overcome.  I begin to have feelings of jealousy or want over material things.  I forget to turn to God, my Savior.  For it is said, "surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation" Isaiah 12:2.

God is my song, He is the noise that I want in my life.  Lord, help me get rid of the excess loudness that is surrounding my every thought every action.  Help my life become simple, with You my only focus.  Remind me to turn my listening ears all the way up to 101.  Amen.

across the universe

Over 60 hours and 3000 miles later Spring Break 2011 is complete.  The word complete gives a sense of being finite, having a end mark yet, I believe this past week will forever be ingrained in my memory.  This past week full of laughter, struggle, short tempers, love, and tranquillity taught me a lot about myself and how I interact in the relationships I am in, both with God and with people.

There were a few themes that resounded throughout this trip.  These included variations on enjoyment of God's amazing wonders and also on the principles of joy and love.

The most successful day of the trip, hiking down into the
canyon to see the Colorado River.

Wonder.   The Grand Canyon is filled with the amazing majesty and wonder that God created.  He created it all for our enjoyment, for us to sit speechless in total awe of just how awesome He truly is.  One of the 7 wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon, is one of God's most prize masterpieces.  He knows every single rock formation, every single creature, every single plant that adds to the majestic canyon.  He controls the Colorado River, which shapes and molds the landscape each and every day.  Everything is His, it is all a part of the beautiful creation story painted in Genesis 1.  Sitting out on a rock ledge overlooking the river that passage was read to me and all I could do was think WOW.  God created this amazingly beautiful planet because of how much agape He has for us.  Everything He created was good!  He says that over and over in Genesis 1, He is the artist sitting back and looking over his work picturing just how good it will be.  Our creative God left me, a girl known to talk too much, speechless as I listened to the words of the creation feeling every bit a part of that narrative.

Joy/Love.  When I say this trip tested my patience that is an understatement.  I was tested up the wazoo on the trek to Arizona and, actually, while in Arizona as well.  Being together almost every single moment allowed for each of us to experience the real and the rough aspects of our personalities.  All five of us on the trip are very different, having different pet peeves, dislikes, annoyances, and beauties but, at the same time we all share many commonalities.  The constant ebb and flow of grievances being replaced with love, in the end, I feel strengthened our relationships.  In many instances I found my self slipping farther and farther from God when I looked at my companions without love filled eyes.  In certain instances God gave me a wake up call, reminding me that all joy comes from Him and without Him in my life the joy that I am sometimes known for dried up.  I found myself needing constant reminding of the fact that I have the power to make the trip the best and the most fun it could possibly be and looking at my friends with frustration and consternation was not going to help any causes.  Yet, despite the warnings God was giving me I definitely struggled with this a lot a lot.  I realized how much I need to rely on the Spirit to guide me and to help me be the best version of myself.  I also realized I need to pray.  I need to be constantly asking for guidance and help and for a hand to hold.  I need to pray even if I don't always get an answer when I am expecting one.  I learned that I love each and everyone of the girls and Patrick with whom I went on this tranquil retreat on even after all of us reaching our breaking points and then some.  I love the fact that I have an amazing community to share my passion for Jesus and for God's amazing wonders.  I love God.

The Grand Canyon put everything in perspective for me and now I am renewed in and refocused on God's amazing plan which He has for me.  I only hope that I can be faithful and joyful in what He has in store for me.

at last...

Home SWEET home...

Not only have I made it safely back to my own comfy bed in Madison but, the Wisconsin mens basketball team is heading to the sweet 16.  All in all I have to say it is a super sweet day.

I feel so utterly blessed and amazed at this life that God has given me.  The trip, no the adventure, out to the Grand Canyon was a huge learning and growing experience.  (I will express all the bumps and bruises and love that came out of this journey tomorrow when I am well rested.)  God has again shown me just how much I need Him and vast and wide His wonders spread.

Everywhere I go, HE IS WITH ME.  Now isn't that sweet?

movin on up

Today started the beginning of "SPRING BREAK NO PARENTS!" or as Dan Smith called it "Spring Break no PANTS!!!"  After first and hopefully most arduous leg of this journey I am as excited as ever to make it to the final destination but at the same time terrified to be traveling more than 1,500 miles from Madison, WI to the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.  If you all could pray for safe travels that will be greatly appreciated.

This will be the last post for a week seeing as I will be living off the land (well kind of) in a tent loving my friends and the beauty and majesty that our amazing God and Creator has graciously given to us.  I cannot wait to silence all the noise that surrounds my life and live in amazing peace with my Lord.  I pray that I have the grace and the ability to look upon each of my amigos with love and compassion no matter how tired or frustrated I am.  (I had a small glance of what this trip could be like if I didn't do that earlier in the car-ride up the Patrick's house in La Crosse.)

Lord let this journey be for Your Glory and for Your Purpose.  Let me love my fellow adventurers and the nature I will be surrounded with.  Lord Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path!! Let Your light shine out before us guiding us through the unknown forever focused on You.

Tomorrow starts the beginning of the "true journey", were crossing over state lines (from the words of Matt Hires) leaving Wisconsin and headed south at 6:00 in the AM, wish us luck!!

world prayers

Please pray for the multitudes of people in Japan that were and are continuing to be affected by the earthquake that occurred Friday afternoon.  For more information on this initial 8.9 magnitude quake and the sequential 7.4 magnitude quake, see that link from the wall street journal or this on from the new york times.  Pray for safety and hope with the oncoming Tsunami waters and the destruction already caused by the strongest earthquake felt in Japan in over 300 years.  

Pray for all the american military personal stationed in Okinawa who are helping deal with this massive destruction.  Please just pray.

tongue tied

"I'm finding myself at a loss for words and the funny thing is, it's okay.  The last thing I need is to be heard, but to hear what You would say.  Word of God speak.  Would You pour down like rain, washing my eyes to see Your majesty, to be still and know that Your in this place.  Please let me stay and rest, in Your holiness.  Word of God speak."-Mercyme Word of God Speak


This is exactly how my morning is going, I feel like my mind will not stop, will not pause, and thus causing my time spent with God to change focus.  Instead of being enveloped in his PEACE and LOVE, I am trying to wrap myself up in my own blanket of love which, let me tell you, is not as warm.  I am at a loss for words even at this moment, trying to write this.  I find myself getting angry at myself and wanting to cry out in frustration yet, I know that somehow His message is getting through to me even if it is not through the normal channels.

This morning His one message came to me through the song Word of God Speak by Mercyme (which I quoted above).  My lack of words is OKAY, I am not the one who needs to be heard but, He does.  God reminded me this morning to always be listening even if I feel like there is no possible way to hear Him.  His word and love constantly is with me following me throughout my motions waiting in the background for an opening in my strain of conscious thought.  I feel like God is trying to teach me a lesson this morning.

I have been Martha this week, always running from event to event trying to see and please as many people as I could.  Jesus is probably up there right now laughing (lovingly laughing I hope) at my human foolishness, of course there is no possible way for me to accomplish every single tiny thing that I want to before leaving on my adventure known as spring break.  My personality has always been very Martha like always GOING, I think this morning God has pulled me to this passage to remind me to try and be more like Mary "who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said" and who rests to enjoy God's amazing presence.  I need to remember that "only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42)

Lord help me rest and enjoy Your presence!! Let me be like Mary please oh please!!

winter wonderbirthday

Beautiful Birge Hall and the gardens draped with snow

Well, winter still has his grimy paws on the state of Wisconsin and despite the fact that I am craving warmth and sunshine and springtime I am surprisingly happy with all the snow!  I woke up this morning and thought I was dreaming of Christmastime all over again but, was jolted back to reality when I remembered it was NOT December 25 but March 9!  Anyways this was the view from my room this morning:

There was an especially wonderful quality about the seemingly random snowfall this morning; it was absolutely magnificient.  The fluffy snow accumulation outside made for the perfect morning full of baking, coffee and Jesus.

Beautiful door decorations
courtesy of Hanna :) 

I am surprising myself by saying this vast sparking beauty outside was a great birthday present, thank you God!! And thanks to all my beautiful and wonderful friends for making this day incredible!!!  I am no longer a sniffling teenager (so aptly named by PK) but a mature 20 year old.... wait who am I kidding, just because I am 20 doesn't mean I have to grow up but, on the other hand this is the first birthday that I have actually felt older and have felt a change and I kind of like it.  With two decades of my life past I can only strive and hope for another few decades to live for Jesus holding his hand every step of the way.

Help me to trust Your plan with the Spirit's guidance as today starts the beginning chapter of my twenties.  Thank You for guiding me this far.

here in your arms

I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ

I'm forgiven

I'm forgiven

And I don't have to carry 

The weight of who I've been

Cause I'm forgiven

scrumptious desserts

Here is just a little bit of awesome inspiration from some of the high schoolers involved in Sun Prairie Young life.  They were asked to write and describe how Young Life makes them feel and how it helps them in their life.  Donors, committee, family and friends all got to experience the truth that was expressed.  This is what some of them said:

WOW is all I could think of while I got to watch every single person express just how much YL is helping them grow into amazing and loving adults.  I am so blessed and thankful to be a part of this amazing moment of the Spirit.  This is just so inexpressibly AWESOME.  The Spirit moves swiftly to each of these kids and surrounds them with bliss and love and friends and fun which all accompany them on their journeys with Jesus. 

favorite day

Sunday: the best day, the Sabbath, a day of rest, full of worship and praise, prayerful and prophesying.  Sunday is the day I look forward to each week, it is the light at the end of a stressful week or it is a pick-me-up after a week spent without holding God's hand or it is a remembering of the blessings God bestowed on me early in the week; whatever Sunday takes the shape of, it is always a day of reflection, of looking in the mirror of the past, with God beside me showing me just how He is working in my life.

Today, this Sunday, despite the looming deadline of paper and Ochem assignments, will be a grand day of reflection. Today, I will be reminiscing about the fabulous runs through the city of Madison with teammates, no more than that,- friends.  I will be pondering the seemingly endless classes filled with new knowledge.  I will be thinking over moments of service.  I will be remembering fun-filled times with friends.  I will be meditating on the love I was shown by those surrounding me.  I will be praying over how I chose to spend my time this past week.

Today, I am a part of a greater mission.  After attending church this morning at Blackhawk Downtown, I have been charged to help bring HOPE to the world.  Because of Jesus' resurrection after His death on the cross I have been given an immeasurable hope.  My duty, my destiny is encompassed and intertwined with this amazing hope.  I only hope that the Spirit can lead me in this quest.

Today, part of my mission is the Young Life Sun Prairie Dessert Night.  Today with the help of God the community of Sun Prairie will get to experience Young Life's way.  I pray that God works and changes the hearts of the people of Sun Prairie to see how much the high schoolers and middle schoolers grow not only as young adults but as Christ followers.  I am so thankful that I had the amazing opportunity in high school to be involved in Young Life and that now I have an amazing purpose in becoming a friend, mentor, and fellow believer in Christ with these high school girls.

Sunday, today, will be magnificent.

RUNNING!

You all knew this post was coming sooner or later and probably more than once but, moving on from that I absolutely, 100%, forever love RUNNING.

There is something magical about lacing up your shoes and being able to just RUN.  Everything else seems to fade; all your worries, to-do lists, fears, become obsolete.  All you are left with is the constant sound of your feet prancing off the ground and the wonderful breath that God so willingly gave.

Granted not every run goes like this, many days the worries of the world creep into the forefront of my mind and I get trapped in a battle instead of just enjoying the moment.  Thankfully, today was just the opposite.  Today I had a close to perfect run, despite the possibility of inclement weather the clouds overhead cooperated and, despite a few gusts of wind, I couldn't have asked for better weather.

Today reaffirmed the fact, I LOVE RUNNING! 


But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; the will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. -Isaiah 41:30

pretty gray

This is the goal of the day, lets make it HAPPEN!

serving

Last night I had the an opportunity to be a part of God's amazing work.  I helped a couple friends and AIA (athletes in action: a Christian group for athletes here at UW Madison) create a homemade meal for freshmen athletes to enjoy while coming together in a community, crossing the borders of their respective sports.  There was a lot of uncertainty pertaining to just who would show up if anyone at all, which posed a small problem: exactly how much food should be made?  Luckily Sarah (the hostess) was an optimist and believed with all her heart that God would come through and made THE most pasta I have ever seen in my life (it was a mountainous pile in the kitchen).  Of course I had my doubts thinking the amount of pasta would be WAY too much and that only a few track girls would come.  This is where I was totally WRONG.

God has an awesome way of taking my doubts and throwing them in my face because, after 30 minutes or so of only track girls loving their home-cooked meal, a gaggle of football players showed up and then later a band of rowers.  It was unbelievable to see just how much God came through; He brought around 30 people to be fed with love last night.  The camaraderie and the conversation and laughter it brought filled up and spilled out of the apartment.

I got to see and experience all of God's power from the background, inside the kitchen being able to observe and take-in all the goings on.  My heart was changed again last night.  I forgot just how much I love to serve.  Last night tapped into my memories of doing work crew at Timberwolf Lake (a young life camp) serving out of love and not out of necessity and reminded me that these little moments of servitude are some of the times I have felt closest to Jesus.  Seeing everyone united, smiling, and conversing over the food we created gave me an infinite amount of joy.  I just love it!!!!

Last night was exactly what I needed, God is prodigious in that sense.  I love that He knows me better than I know myself.  I have no idea what or where I would be with out my Light of the World.


-For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

tea ponderings

There is something mystifying about the month of March.  For as long as I can remember March has brought sunshine and the ardor of spring which, in turn, leads to abounding happiness and joy on my end.  March cannot arrive in a more timely matter, for one more day of dreary-gray February and I would have started contemplating hibernation.  Lucky for me, God created February to be the shortest month of the year thus, only allowing my discomfort and hibernation ideas persist until the edge of the cliff never allowing them to tumble downward in a never-ending cartoon-ball-roll.  Don't get me wrong I do enjoy pieces of February (the superbowl, the restart of young life, Valentine's Day, February 28) but, those long sunless days in between add up very quickly.

But... March is here and I have nothing to fear.  March with its 2 sunny days so far and many more to come.  March with its blooming of flowers.  March with its beginnings of green.  I seem to even ENJOY the March snowfalls and the few gray, coffee and reading, days.  I have not yet figured out why, on March 1st, EVERYTHING seems brighter and more exciting in my life.  Maybe it is just my attitude towards it?  Maybe I am just inclined to see March as the beginning of new life in spring and not the final grip of a cold and frosty winter?  Maybe I have again decided to unseal my heart due to the prospect of spring and let God's "inexpressible and glorious joy" fill me? (1 Peter 1:8)

"You will go out in JOY and be lead forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12

Lord let my life be a reflection of your glorious joy, let my joy radiate out from me turning the world in to a place filled with the happiness of your love.  Turn my life in to Your musical!

Peace

I pray that March brings some small piece of peace.

Peace in my life: I do not like running around now matter how early I wake up to try to get everything I want accomplished before I start the day.  I wish I had just one ounce more of time.  

Peace in the world: I do not like all the unrest and hurt sweeping across the Middle East.  I am glad the people are finally standing up but, at what cost? 

Peace in my soul:  I haven't been relying on God.  I use Him only in dire situations when His strength is necessary.  I pray that I go to Him for peace in every aspect of my days.