And the summer begins....

So, today was the first day that I actually had some free time to do something for myself. I decided that I was going to enjoy the wonderful day and lay out by the pool. It was nice but apparently I was tired and I fell asleep for a good 2 hours. I am looking forward to this week because I don't have a lot going on so it should be pretty chill.
I am getting ready for a summer filled with fun travels and good times with friends. I leave this Saturday for Reynosa, Mexico. I am so excited for this trip because I have not been to Reynosa in 3 years. I am hoping to see the families that I helped build houses for in 2004 and 2005. I am excited to see how God is going to work this week in my life and in the lives of all those around us. I have a heart for missions and every time I go on a missions trip God is always right there and is so powerful.
After Mexico I will be home for about 2 weeks and then I am off to Juarez, Mexico with the high schoolers. I am hopefully fly to Chicago from there to visit my best friend Brittany who has an internship there. Then the rest of the summer is filled with fun trips to the beach, Charleston, house sitting, babysitting, and working. Well, those are my plans for the summer. I am soo excited!! Well, I'm off to read "The Shack." Peace. Love. And pancakes.

tennis.

So, tonight I decided that I was going to go play tennis with some friends. I thought I was really good. So, my friends and I get together and head to the courts. We start messing around and I am ready to get serious. We played a real game and the ball never touched my racquet except for when I served the ball. As the frustration was building up, I thought man I am amazing at tennis or these people really stink. Naturally, I thought I am amazing at tennis. What I figured out as we kept playing is that we are all pretty bad at the sport. I think this was a humbling experience for me because so many times I think I am so great at some of these obsessions that I pick up constantly. I think tonight was just a simple reminder that all of my gifts and talents were given to me by God and FOR God. So many times I want the glory and I want to be recognized for the things I am good at, but it is only because of God that I am good at those things and He deserves all the credit for everything I do. I just finished reading "I Am Not But I Know I Am" by Louie Giglio and the thing that really stood out to me is that we are all playing a tiny role in God's story. He doesn't need us to write the story but He has chosen each one of us to play a role that will bring Him eternal glory.

big God.
little me.
big God.
little me.

That is what I am learning.

A little touch of inspiration for the day.

Faith Sees the Savior:

Be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Ephesians 6:10

I stand a few feet from a mirror and see the face of a man who failed,...who failed his Maker. Again. I promised I wouldn't, but I did. I was quiet when I should have been BOLD. I took a seat when I should have taken a STAND.
If this were the first time, it would be different. But it isn't. How many times can one fall and expect to be caught?...
Your eyes look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure, a promise-breaker. But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss of your Father on your face...

Your eyes see your faults. You faith sees your Savior.

Your eyes see your guilt. Your faith sees his blood.


"When God Whispers Your Name"