Last year my goal was to read 12 books in 2012. I not only read 12 books but am finishing number 13 in the next few days! I am so excited! I have been working on my list for 2013 and I finished it tonight and thought I would share:
2013 Reading List
1. Deep & Wide-Andy Stanley
2. The Gift of Being Yourself-David Benner
3. The Grace of God-Andy Stanley
4. Gifted to Lead-Nancy Beach
5. The Me I Want to Be-John Ortberg
6. In a Pit With a Lion On a Snowy Day-Mark Batterson
7. Life Of The Beloved-Henry Nouwen
8. Follow Me-David Platt
9. Gospel-Centered Discipleship-Jonathan Dodson
10. Mistakes Leaders Make-Dave Kraft
11. The Circle Maker-Mark Batterson
12. Soul Detox-Craig Groeschel
I am excited to read these books and put some great principles into practice! Let me know if you guys have read any of these books and your thoughts!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
my awkward Grouplink experience.
wow. wow. wow. i am speechless. today was a great day.
Hung out at the P's for the afternoon and stayed for dinner!
Then, the most awkward thing i have probably ever done. i went to Grouplink at Northpoint to join a small group.
hung out with a friend when i first arrived then i went into the room to meet the peeps. awkward. no one talked to me. so i left.
as i was walking out i decided to stay. so i went to the bathroom, gathered myself together and then walked back in.
right as i was walking in i saw a girl, close to my age, and followed her. ha
as i was following her i noticed she had a tag on her bag that said 410 Bridge. i knew we would be friends. we introduced ourselves and then i met her friends. we have mutual friends and have similar passions in life.
her two friends she was with were pretty great too. i figured i would just stick with them.
then, about 10 of us young girls found each other and formed a group, found a leader and got started. it was great. so great. i am so excited to do life with these girls. wow. i need them.
so as i was leaving i was talking to the girl, Alyson is her name and we were exchanging numbers and when she realized my last name she started freaking out. i had no idea why but was like okay. i asked her what was going on and she explained to me how she had coffee with Michele Stanford who works at Inside Out. Michele told her about me that morning and said we needed to meet because we would be best friends. wow. i was in awe.
i am constantly in awe of how God pieces every single little detail of my life together EXACTLY how He wants it. He takes my moments of fear or doubt and turns them into His perfect plan. He continually shows me His grace and His perfect love that He has for me. wow.
I am excited to walk with these sisters and begin to allow God to be the center of our friendships. we all desire community and we all desire to be in relationship with others.
so today marks a day i will never forget. another time God provided for me and another time He showed me more of who He is by working all things together for my good.
thank you Jesus for who you are. to You be the glory.
Hung out at the P's for the afternoon and stayed for dinner!
Then, the most awkward thing i have probably ever done. i went to Grouplink at Northpoint to join a small group.
hung out with a friend when i first arrived then i went into the room to meet the peeps. awkward. no one talked to me. so i left.
as i was walking out i decided to stay. so i went to the bathroom, gathered myself together and then walked back in.
right as i was walking in i saw a girl, close to my age, and followed her. ha
as i was following her i noticed she had a tag on her bag that said 410 Bridge. i knew we would be friends. we introduced ourselves and then i met her friends. we have mutual friends and have similar passions in life.
her two friends she was with were pretty great too. i figured i would just stick with them.
then, about 10 of us young girls found each other and formed a group, found a leader and got started. it was great. so great. i am so excited to do life with these girls. wow. i need them.
so as i was leaving i was talking to the girl, Alyson is her name and we were exchanging numbers and when she realized my last name she started freaking out. i had no idea why but was like okay. i asked her what was going on and she explained to me how she had coffee with Michele Stanford who works at Inside Out. Michele told her about me that morning and said we needed to meet because we would be best friends. wow. i was in awe.
i am constantly in awe of how God pieces every single little detail of my life together EXACTLY how He wants it. He takes my moments of fear or doubt and turns them into His perfect plan. He continually shows me His grace and His perfect love that He has for me. wow.
I am excited to walk with these sisters and begin to allow God to be the center of our friendships. we all desire community and we all desire to be in relationship with others.
so today marks a day i will never forget. another time God provided for me and another time He showed me more of who He is by working all things together for my good.
thank you Jesus for who you are. to You be the glory.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Another Haitian Adventure!
Tomorrow, tomorrow, you're only a day away! The anticipation is killing me. I am overflowing with joy and excitement as I get ready to go to Haiti tomorrow for the third time in a year. What a blessing it is to go and love on and be loved on by some amazing kids! I am extremely excited about the opportunity to spend this trip with some incredible friends. Tomorrow Julia Casey and I leave and then on Sunday Anna Smith and Adam Fevella will meet us there. It is going to be an amazing week and we get to celebrate Easter with the kids and also going to other orphanages to deliver Easter Baskets and dinner. Between the 4 of us we will do our best to update everyone as much as possible. "Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5. This verse is etched on my heart and every time I get ready to leave the country to do God's work I am always reminded of this verse. I have been fortunate enough to travel and visit a lot of places in the last 5 years and every single time God always teaches me something new and reveals Himself to me more and more. I leave to come back home utterly amazed. God is always at work and it is not hard to see that in the eyes of these precious little ones. My prayer for us is that we will be utterly amazed by what God shows us, teaches us, and reveals to us. I am very excited!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Are you thirsty?
"When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
John 4:7-15
A few days ago I had my camera out and was taking some pictures. I have only used my camera twice since being here so I am trying to take some pictures to help capture the moments that are forever etched on my heart. As I was walking around just taking pictures of the kids in action I came across this sweet precious little girl drinking from the sink. She was so thirsty. All she wanted was some water to quench her thirst. I immediately was reminded of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus at the well. Jesus was sitting there and this woman came to draw water from the well, but Jesus wanted her to draw water from Him. True living water. Not water that won't quench her thirst but everlasting water. He told her that whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst again. It will become a "spring of water welling up to eternal life."
As I sat there and watched Daphka drink from this water this image of Jesus and the Samaritan woman just kept playing over in my mind. I wanted so much to tell her about this living water that Jesus offers. I began to talk to her and tell her what I could in a way that she could understand. I don't think she had a clue what I was saying but it is my heart's desire for these kids to grow up knowing that only Jesus can satisfy their thirst. I believe that they are learning and know the truth. I am right in the middle of a dark place where people have no water, where they are so thirsty for something to drink. It is so hot here and I know that the people are extremely thirsty. Oh how my heart desires for them to know about the water that will make them thirst no more. When they drink from Him they will thirst no more. I think this moment will forever be etched on my heart as I am motivated and encouraged to continue to tell others about this living water. How good is it to know and believe in my heart that I drink living water that satisfies and that won't run dry. May you to be encouraged to share with others about the living water you drink from.
Wherever you are on your journey if you are thirsty and seeking something to satisfy I challenge you to drink from the well that won't run dry, Jesus. That you will turn to Him in your time or season of being thirsty. It is the most satisfying feeling in the world. He never runs dry. He satisfies His thirsty child. May you continue to seek and trust that He is the giver of life and of all good things.
As I was writing this I was reminded of a song by Kristian Stanfill called "Spring of Life." Here are the lyrics below:
"Spring of Life"
In this life we will find
We will be yearning
In this life we will find
The world won’t satisfy
In this life we will find
That we will be empty
Without you
Jesus you’re the well
That won’t run dry
Jesus you’re the drink
That satisfies
Living water spring of life
Jesus you’re the well
That won’t run dry
In this life we will find
We will be searching
In this life we will find
The world won’t satisfy
In this life we will find
That we will be hopeless
Without you
Jesus you’re the well
That won’t run dry
Jesus you’re the drink
That satisfies
Living water spring of life
Jesus you’re the well
That won’t run dry
We will thirst no more thirst no more
When we drink from you drink from you
We will search no more search no more
When we drink from you drink from you
John 4:7-15
A few days ago I had my camera out and was taking some pictures. I have only used my camera twice since being here so I am trying to take some pictures to help capture the moments that are forever etched on my heart. As I was walking around just taking pictures of the kids in action I came across this sweet precious little girl drinking from the sink. She was so thirsty. All she wanted was some water to quench her thirst. I immediately was reminded of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus at the well. Jesus was sitting there and this woman came to draw water from the well, but Jesus wanted her to draw water from Him. True living water. Not water that won't quench her thirst but everlasting water. He told her that whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst again. It will become a "spring of water welling up to eternal life."
As I sat there and watched Daphka drink from this water this image of Jesus and the Samaritan woman just kept playing over in my mind. I wanted so much to tell her about this living water that Jesus offers. I began to talk to her and tell her what I could in a way that she could understand. I don't think she had a clue what I was saying but it is my heart's desire for these kids to grow up knowing that only Jesus can satisfy their thirst. I believe that they are learning and know the truth. I am right in the middle of a dark place where people have no water, where they are so thirsty for something to drink. It is so hot here and I know that the people are extremely thirsty. Oh how my heart desires for them to know about the water that will make them thirst no more. When they drink from Him they will thirst no more. I think this moment will forever be etched on my heart as I am motivated and encouraged to continue to tell others about this living water. How good is it to know and believe in my heart that I drink living water that satisfies and that won't run dry. May you to be encouraged to share with others about the living water you drink from.
Wherever you are on your journey if you are thirsty and seeking something to satisfy I challenge you to drink from the well that won't run dry, Jesus. That you will turn to Him in your time or season of being thirsty. It is the most satisfying feeling in the world. He never runs dry. He satisfies His thirsty child. May you continue to seek and trust that He is the giver of life and of all good things.
As I was writing this I was reminded of a song by Kristian Stanfill called "Spring of Life." Here are the lyrics below:
"Spring of Life"
In this life we will find
We will be yearning
In this life we will find
The world won’t satisfy
In this life we will find
That we will be empty
Without you
Jesus you’re the well
That won’t run dry
Jesus you’re the drink
That satisfies
Living water spring of life
Jesus you’re the well
That won’t run dry
In this life we will find
We will be searching
In this life we will find
The world won’t satisfy
In this life we will find
That we will be hopeless
Without you
Jesus you’re the well
That won’t run dry
Jesus you’re the drink
That satisfies
Living water spring of life
Jesus you’re the well
That won’t run dry
We will thirst no more thirst no more
When we drink from you drink from you
We will search no more search no more
When we drink from you drink from you
Sunday, September 4, 2011
My heart is filled with joy!
What an incredible journey it has been so far here in Haiti. Every single moment of every day is a blessing to me. First of all the community of people I'm surrounded by is amazing. I would not be doing this well if it weren't for them. So thank you Heather, Sarah, Adam, and Kyle! It is a true blessing to walk with each of these brothers and sisters. My heart is full of joy. Currently we are all reading through 2 Timothy together and we meet once a week to discuss that. Some of us are also reading Francis Chan's new book, "Erasing Hell." We meet every few days to discuss what we are reading, learning, have questions about, etc. It's a joy!
This last week has been great! Very slow paced and relaxing. I didn't realize how burnt out I was before coming here. Living a face paced life of go, go, go back at ho,e was starting to really wear me down. A few verses I have been clinging to is Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I think in my first week or so here the Lord has truly given me rest. It has been beautiful and very refreshing. I have really been diving into the word, writing a lot, and allowing myself to be fed. I am grateful for God's faithfulness during this time of rest, He has given me more than I could ask for or even imagine. It's crazy how in the midst of the craziness around me I can just be still and know that He is God. I came here with no expectations really and God has already done some amazing things in my heart. I'm really looking forward to this week and what God has in store for me. I am ready to serve and to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around me.
The kids, wow, wow, wow. They have my heart! So when I was here in June I really only bonded with a few kids. There were so many people on our team that there was a lot of love to go around. I have really enjoyed being here with very few people to be with the kids. I have been spending a lot of time with my girl Islande as she has a piece of my heart. She has been so much fun to play with and spend time with. Throughout the day I really try to divide my time up with a lot of the other kids as well. I am starting to get to know some of the older girls and some of the boys as well. One of my favorite times of the day is at night when we have devotions with the kids. Devotions consist of a lot of praise and worship music and then closing with prayer. It melts my hear to hear all of these beautiful Haitian children singing out loud that "Our God saves and that He is the lover of their souls" those are two of my favorite songs to hear them sing. Almost every night Islande falls asleep in my arms and I get to put her to bed. This is one of the sweetest feelings in the world. It's priceless. After that I usually hang out with the kids and then tell them all goodnight one by one. Then head to my room or to hang with my friends! It's a perfect ending to our beautiful days here.
I know this is a long post but I have saved the best and most amazing moment for last!
Something happened last Sunday morning at Children's church and then again this Sunday morning that will forever be etched on my heart. It was one of the sweetest and humbling things to watch. We had just wrapped up teaching the kids and we were all having goldfish and juice. Only about 5 of the handicap children come to children's church and most of them are able to feed themselves, except Fon Fon. She was sitting there in her wheelchair and her goldfish were in her lap. I looked over and one by one little Pablo who is around 6 or 7 was feeding her. Then, after a few goldfish he would give her a few sips of her juice. He was eating his food in-between feeding her, it was truly a beautiful picture of the words Jesus said when He said, "love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 19:19b. Pablo reminded me and those around that we are to love others unconditionally, regardless of what they look like, how they act, or if they are different than us. It was a gentle reminder and a beautiful picture that I will never forget. I love the way the older kids and other kids car for the handicap children. It is so sweet to watch and beautiful. May these pictures help you see the moment that is forever etched on my heart!
Peace. Blessings. And grace!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This last week has been great! Very slow paced and relaxing. I didn't realize how burnt out I was before coming here. Living a face paced life of go, go, go back at ho,e was starting to really wear me down. A few verses I have been clinging to is Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I think in my first week or so here the Lord has truly given me rest. It has been beautiful and very refreshing. I have really been diving into the word, writing a lot, and allowing myself to be fed. I am grateful for God's faithfulness during this time of rest, He has given me more than I could ask for or even imagine. It's crazy how in the midst of the craziness around me I can just be still and know that He is God. I came here with no expectations really and God has already done some amazing things in my heart. I'm really looking forward to this week and what God has in store for me. I am ready to serve and to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around me.
The kids, wow, wow, wow. They have my heart! So when I was here in June I really only bonded with a few kids. There were so many people on our team that there was a lot of love to go around. I have really enjoyed being here with very few people to be with the kids. I have been spending a lot of time with my girl Islande as she has a piece of my heart. She has been so much fun to play with and spend time with. Throughout the day I really try to divide my time up with a lot of the other kids as well. I am starting to get to know some of the older girls and some of the boys as well. One of my favorite times of the day is at night when we have devotions with the kids. Devotions consist of a lot of praise and worship music and then closing with prayer. It melts my hear to hear all of these beautiful Haitian children singing out loud that "Our God saves and that He is the lover of their souls" those are two of my favorite songs to hear them sing. Almost every night Islande falls asleep in my arms and I get to put her to bed. This is one of the sweetest feelings in the world. It's priceless. After that I usually hang out with the kids and then tell them all goodnight one by one. Then head to my room or to hang with my friends! It's a perfect ending to our beautiful days here.
I know this is a long post but I have saved the best and most amazing moment for last!
Something happened last Sunday morning at Children's church and then again this Sunday morning that will forever be etched on my heart. It was one of the sweetest and humbling things to watch. We had just wrapped up teaching the kids and we were all having goldfish and juice. Only about 5 of the handicap children come to children's church and most of them are able to feed themselves, except Fon Fon. She was sitting there in her wheelchair and her goldfish were in her lap. I looked over and one by one little Pablo who is around 6 or 7 was feeding her. Then, after a few goldfish he would give her a few sips of her juice. He was eating his food in-between feeding her, it was truly a beautiful picture of the words Jesus said when He said, "love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 19:19b. Pablo reminded me and those around that we are to love others unconditionally, regardless of what they look like, how they act, or if they are different than us. It was a gentle reminder and a beautiful picture that I will never forget. I love the way the older kids and other kids car for the handicap children. It is so sweet to watch and beautiful. May these pictures help you see the moment that is forever etched on my heart!
Peace. Blessings. And grace!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Cazeau,Port-au-Prince,Haiti
Monday, August 29, 2011
Just the beginning...
What an amazing day we had on Saturday! We went and hung out with some Americans who are living in Haiti full-time. We went to the Caribbean lodge and relaxed, ate lunch, swam, caught up on emails. It was nice to relax and just enjoy the afternoon! Then we went to an event for an orphanage. There is a girl here named Julie who has helped haitians become sufficient and they hand craft sandals, neckless's, bracelet's, small pottery, and other things that make great gifts or things to remember Haiti by. This is a way for the Haitians to be self reliant instead of relying on others! The kids got up and sang and had a dance party and that was so sweet. It was a really good day overall. Also, I'm learning that in Haiti I don't have a lot of energy. So, saturday was nice. It's been a slow journey so far as we are getting settled in and just learning how things run around here. Next week we will probably get started on helping around the orphanage.
On Sunday we had church at new life with the kids. Heather, who has been here for a while has been teaching children's church but she has been feeling sick so she asked me to teach. Sarah helped me with translating and such. I told the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. It was really a great experience. I used some goldfish and rocks to represent the the fish and loaves. The kids were very well behaved and after the story we asked the kids to repeat to us and a lot of them were able to help tell the story. It was a lot different than church at HCC but it was amazing! Loved it!
After church we went to Stephanie's parents beach house! It was so much fun! The house was beautiful and we loved just hanging out and relaxing. We did some swimming and snorkeling. We saw a ton of jelly fish so I was a little hesitant about getting in the water. I loved hanging out there and spending time with my new friends! I'm really enjoying my time here so far and cannot wait to see what God has in store for me while I'm here!
Every night the kids have devotions at 7:00. This is probably one of my highlights each and every day. It is so sweet to hear the kids at the orphanage singing praise and worship to our Father. Last night we sang "Jesus Lover of my Soul" and it was probably the sweetest moment since I've been here. They kids sang there hearts out. Some closed their eyes and worship, some lifted their hands in worship, and others just sang with everything they had. It was definitely true worship and I love that I get to experience that every night! What a blessing!
On Monday I went with Kyle and Tara to the deaf community project that the 410 Bridge is working with. What a complete blessing this was. WOW!! I learned today how beautiful the language of sign is. And it motivates me to want to learn it so badly. As I sat there and watched Tara interact with the people in the deaf community it was truly BEAUTIFUL. I am really looking forward to possibly spending some time there and really investing in the people there and learning their language and culture. I think it will be good for me to see other parts of Haiti than just New Life!
Tonight we are going to dinner with Tara and some friends as her send off party. She is leaving for Austraila to visit a friend for a month! I'm gonna miss having her in Haiti but excited for her adventure!
So, there is the update for my first few days in Haiti. Since we have not had Internet I have just been typing up some stuff from each day on my iPad. We are currently at the carribbean lodge having lunch and using the Internet!
On Sunday we had church at new life with the kids. Heather, who has been here for a while has been teaching children's church but she has been feeling sick so she asked me to teach. Sarah helped me with translating and such. I told the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. It was really a great experience. I used some goldfish and rocks to represent the the fish and loaves. The kids were very well behaved and after the story we asked the kids to repeat to us and a lot of them were able to help tell the story. It was a lot different than church at HCC but it was amazing! Loved it!
After church we went to Stephanie's parents beach house! It was so much fun! The house was beautiful and we loved just hanging out and relaxing. We did some swimming and snorkeling. We saw a ton of jelly fish so I was a little hesitant about getting in the water. I loved hanging out there and spending time with my new friends! I'm really enjoying my time here so far and cannot wait to see what God has in store for me while I'm here!
Every night the kids have devotions at 7:00. This is probably one of my highlights each and every day. It is so sweet to hear the kids at the orphanage singing praise and worship to our Father. Last night we sang "Jesus Lover of my Soul" and it was probably the sweetest moment since I've been here. They kids sang there hearts out. Some closed their eyes and worship, some lifted their hands in worship, and others just sang with everything they had. It was definitely true worship and I love that I get to experience that every night! What a blessing!
On Monday I went with Kyle and Tara to the deaf community project that the 410 Bridge is working with. What a complete blessing this was. WOW!! I learned today how beautiful the language of sign is. And it motivates me to want to learn it so badly. As I sat there and watched Tara interact with the people in the deaf community it was truly BEAUTIFUL. I am really looking forward to possibly spending some time there and really investing in the people there and learning their language and culture. I think it will be good for me to see other parts of Haiti than just New Life!
Tonight we are going to dinner with Tara and some friends as her send off party. She is leaving for Austraila to visit a friend for a month! I'm gonna miss having her in Haiti but excited for her adventure!
So, there is the update for my first few days in Haiti. Since we have not had Internet I have just been typing up some stuff from each day on my iPad. We are currently at the carribbean lodge having lunch and using the Internet!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
OH Haiti!
Well, we are here and my heart is so happy! It has been a great start so far! Adam and I are getting settled in and loving it! It is so great to be back here and be with all these sweet precious children. Most of the kids that I connected with remembered me and it is so great to be back with them. Things are kind of calm at New Life right now as there is only one team of 6 people from Canada there. There are three people that live there right now Heather, Kyle, and Sarah. They are all from America and really great. Heather is adopting a little guy named John from the orphanage, Kyle works for the 410 bridge, and Sarah is on staff with New Life! We do not have internet where we are staying right now and not sure how long it will be out. I will try to update whenever I can. Right now we are hanging out with Kyle and Tara(who also works for the 410 bridge) at a lodge! We are hanging here for the afternoon and will head back to new life in a little bit! Please continue to pray for Adam and I as we continue to get settled in here! Thanks so much! Will update whenever I can!
Peace and blessings!!!
Peace and blessings!!!
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