Your Moment

Here I am starring at my calendar and seeing my summer slowly fade away. A new season of life is upon me. Entering into June I knew it would be a summer of life changing experiences but I clearly underestimated that prediction!
My journey began long before I left for Africa as I knew God was preparing my heart for greater things. Being apart of Uganda was a moment in time that I will never forget. Going to Africa with the man I love and adore, high school students, my camera, and serving Jesus--Oh there is nothing greater!!! I felt as if I was home-at peace with life. I saw and experienced challenging things but the joy of the Lord was greater than these circumstances. I had times with the Lord that I can never articulate because they were so intimate and real. They were glimpses of heaven that I'll keep with me until the day I truly return home.

I must share one story that challenged me forever. We were up in Northern Uganda in Gulu working with a local church and going into the IDP camps. One afternoon we were in a camp walking around to all the huts praying with people and giving out food.
As we got further out into the camp it became very dark and as you know there is NO electricity. So here we are trying to find our way back in pitch black. The African leader with us had moments before explained how the Lords Resistance Army has invaded this camp twice before and killed many people. I quickly became overwhelmed. I couldn't deal with all the fear and darkness that I could barely breath. I grasped Branden's hand tight and leaned over and quietly whispered to him that I was having a panic attack. Trying to be respectful and strong on the outside the only thing I could do was pray. So I began to have a conversation with God that I will NEVER forget. My mind was racing and I couldn't even think rationally. But in that moment God exposed my heart, I didn't trust Him with my life. My entire life I have said I fully trust God. But I saw that wasn't true. I saw they were just words. The reality is I live in America. I live a fairly safe life. I don't really have to put my full trust in Him if I don't want to. I don't know what its like to fear my life being taken at any given time. The reality that I was standing in the middle of a dark village with no protection was sobering and overwhelming. My only hope was to put my trust in Jesus Christ. My heart was tested and I failed. I didn't truly trust and believe God was my one and only protection and hope. It scared me. It scared me that I have always promised God I would stand with him at all times. My true heart was exposed--I wasn't who I thought I was. This experience changed a lot in my life. What will it take for me to walk in a complete and utter dependence on Jesus?
~Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God & Heaven...~Lamentations 3:15
As Africa came and went quickly, I then moved on to Summer Camp! Camp was amazing this year as I met and counseled many high school girls! I had the great privilege of baptizing a couple girls as they made a decision to live for Christ! I can tell you that was a moment that has left an impression on my life forever.

So through all that I have done and experienced this summer, I feel God leading me into a new journey. I am turning a new page of life. There are many unclear paths to me but that doesn't matter. I am called to live in obedience. I am stepping out in faith looking straight ahead at the cross. Greater things lie ahead. For me and for you. I believe it with all my heart.
~Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:13,14

Thank you

The past couple of weeks several people (you know who you are) have stepped up and taken care of me :) I have been wanting to sit down and write thank you's to each of you but have become so busy that it has not happened. If I haven't had the opportunity to thank you, please know that it isn't because I'm not thankful. I am completely overwhelmed by the graciousness, sacrifice, and love that has been shown to me that I want to say thank you! I am eternally grateful for all you've done! Whether it has been something simple to you...it has meant the world to me! For those of you who have loved me with your time, money, meals, cars, prayer, and more THANK YOU!! I am humbled by your love and service. Please know that I am sincerely grateful and thankful for everything!
May God bless you for the blessings you've given....

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
1 Corinthians 3:7

Don't lose heart...

Therefore we don't lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen us eternal.
1 cor. 4:16-18

I absolutely love this verse!!
In our community group we are going through the book of Acts and I am really enjoying it! It has been refreshing to read the first Church and the challenges they faced. It has been a time to refocus and reconnect. I've been questioning and examining my life. Am I allowing God to renew me day by day? Lately I've committed to read AND Meditate on His Word everyday (I'd like to say I was already, but I wasn't committed) It has been an experience that I am deeply thankful for...
I am thankful for the Cross, His Word, His unfailing Love, His grace, and the gift of Heaven that awaits!

Reflections

I will praise you forever for what you have done;
in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints.
Psalm 52:9

Taking time away for a vacation is so refreshing! To get away and just be "you" is refreshing, rejuvenating, and a necessity! Branden and I cherish our getaways and this time it was much needed.
Being in the midst of such stunning scenery can only lift your spirits! It was so refreshing to walk to the ocean each morning with no agenda and just allow yourself and mind to relax! I tend to be a thinker...or as others would say, a worrier: ) But just sitting and starring out into the endless ocean would hypnotize me.
I also loved spending quality time with my husband and friends!
The whole week I could not stop giving thanks for all God has created, done, and is doing.
While we were in Hawaii we celebrated Easter! I loved celebrating Christ's resurrection in his beautiful creation! It was a wonderful reminder that He is alive, His love is everlasting and He deserves all of our praise!
Throughout the week I reflected on some current situations that I have been dealing with it and began to see a need for a shift within me. I felt that is was time to let go, stop dwelling on the problems and start living a life of deep praise. I want praise and adoration to flow from my lips with sincerity and love. It is time for me to stop thinking about all that is wrong and start giving praise where praise is due!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Psalm 100:4

We are called to live a life of praise and thanksgiving. This isn't a choice we have but rather a command God calls us to. I think I carelessly skip over this part of my life because it I think I already am thankful. But am I? Am I truly living my days with praise and honor for my King?

Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind for your love is ever before me and I walk continually in your truth.
Ps. 26:2.3

This has been my prayer as of lately, and I have been challenged to live a life of deep gratitude to my Savior. This Easter was a heart-check for me. It was I who deserved that cross yet because of God's love and sacrifice I have eternal life. That alone demands all my praise, all my life, and thanks!
May you begin to see the other side of life;not what we don't have BUT all that we have been given!

pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:17

The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
Psalm 18:46

Spring, Sheep, and a Savior

It is the time to seek the Lord- Hosea 10:12
Oh how I love Spring! Within me there is a fresh spirit when Spring time comes. Recently I have been in search of new flowers blooming and baby lambs. :) I have gone on drives with my camera in hand ready to find some sheep to watch. This may come across as funny but it is a Spiritual reason. Time and time again Jesus compares his people to sheep. I have been studying this in depth which has awakened my soul to a new Love of my Shepard Jesus.

"I'm the good Shepard; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." -John 10:14

Do I find it coincidence that as Spring has come my Soul as awakened as well?

In my devotion book by Charles Spurgen I came across a quote I wanted to share because it struck a chord to how God is working in me this Spring:).
" The month of April is said to derive its name from the Latin verb aperio, which means to open, because all the buds and blossoms are now opening, and we have arrived at the gates of the flowery season....Every blossoming flower reminds you that now is the time to seek the Lord; do not be out of tune with nature, but let your heart bud and bloom with holy desire."

When I read this it all came together for me. As God has been at work in nature he also is at work refreshing my Spirit.
My interest in finding lambs is truly just to observe their nature with one another. I want to have a deeper understanding to Jesus' corilation with his people and sheep. I want to be reminded of why I am in daily need of my Shepard.
"I am the good Shepard. The good Shepard lays down his life for the Sheep." -John 10:11
I want to be in his creation giving praise.
"But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you." -Is. 12:24

As Spring has come and Easter approaches may your heart seek Jesus...

contemplating

I've been quite reflective lately, really pondering the true point of this life.
As I am driving, walking, or working out my mind is in a constant stirring of thoughts.
I think as I become more closer to the heart of God I begin to see how meaningless stuff really is.
My heart is beginning to beat for different things in this world.
My perspective is daily being shifted into an eternal one.
I have become overwhelmed in the face of this new perspective, it as if my heart can't handle what I am truly seeing.
Instead of focusing on getting, wanting, working, me, me, me
I am seeing a shift within me to others, eternal life, joy, and thankfulness.
Because of this I have found my heart heavy and overwhelmed with deep emotion.
I am calling upon the Lord daily for grace, wisdom, strength, endurance, and his mighty help.
Just sitting in the presence of the Lord I look upon the world and seeing something changing rapidly....
I want to be just like Jesus more than anything else in this world
I want to be ready