Today I am going on a mission trip. I am packing my bags. I have my suitcase open. I am throwing in movies, nebulizers, Tylenol, and lots of coffee. I am packing pajamas, vitamins, and juice. I am taking toy cars and fruit, maybe even popcorn. Customs is no problem on this trip. Wait... This doesn't sound like a mission trip to you? I am not going to a foreign country. I do not need hiking boots or a sleeping bag. I don't even need my passport. I am however, going to pray without ceasing. I am going to lay hands on others and pray for healing and grace. I will fully rely on God to get me through this trip.
I have been to Peru on a mission trip. The travel time is almost 24 hours. We took a plane, a bus, and a van just to get to the starting point of our trek. We hiked the Andes mountains and handed bibles to the Quechua people. People who have never heard the gospel were able to see Jesus in us. We showed the "Jesus Film" in their native language, and shared our testimonies. It is a hard trip. We hiked 7-10 miles a day. Rocky, steep elevations. Narrow paths. At night we stayed in tents in the villages. In the morning we would have frost on the outside of the tents. It is hard, but totally worth it. The experience of literally walking with Jesus is more than I can put into words. I was overcome with emotions almost everyday. The spiritual strength that God granted me was amazing! Not only did we show Jesus to others, Jesus revealed himself to me in ways I didn't expect. He gave me physical strength to get through the trek. He gave me mental strength to handle seeing the things on our path. Most importantly I allowed God to use me and guide me.
I have gone to Peru twice. Each time I come home, I crave the feeling of Gods presence. I want to feel Him. Truly feel Him. I will admit that in Peru I need him more. Here at home I am overloaded with conveniences and comforts that cloud my heart. I have to seek Him more here in the comforts of my home.
Today is different. Today I vow that this will be my mission trip. After all, isn't this my everyday mission field.
You see, my littles are sick. I haven't had a full nights sleep in four nights. Walker has had night terrors. He is congested, coughing and running a fever. Carter woke up with croup, hacky, barky cough. He was up every half hour last night. When he wasn't up, Walker was. I have a sore throat...
This is my mommy mission field. I am going to fully rely on God. If I don't then I will fall. I am going to let God light my path. If I don't I will fall to darkness. I am going to pray over my sweet babies, and allow God to take care of them. I am going to LET GOD, BE GOD. Today is my mini mission trip. I pray that it doesn't just last today, that everyday is my mini mission trip. I pray that I don't get bogged down by the everyday life, that I can feel the presence of God in my daily life.
I pray that you take that vow today as well. LET GOD, BE GOD in your life today and everyday. See and feel the presence of God!!!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Are you old and crusty?
Every day we drive through a little town on the way to my older sons school. It is your normal little town; family restaurant, bank, laundromat, barber shop, the usual. But there is one building that has always intrigued me.
This building sits right beside the train tracks. It is a big brick building with a long porch on the front facing the road. It has large wooden doors flanked by windows. One set of doors has a set of "store front" windows, the kind that would have displayed merchandise. The roof is slanting, and you can visibly see where repairs have been made. I look at this old, worn building everyday.
I can picture a dirt road out front. Women standing on the porch crying over a loved one who just boarded the train. Men carrying trunks. Young soldiers with their packs nervously shifting their feet. Children jumping up and down excitedly anticipating the trains whistle. People going into the general store buying the necessities. Women sharing stories, Men shaking hands. People moving in and out of the building. Hustle. Bustle. Commotion. Movement. Life.
These old buildings were painstakingly built. There were no heavy machinery to make the bricks or mortar. It was done by hand. Each and every brick of this building was placed one by one by a skilled laborer. Every inch was carefully planned. The rafters were installed by hand. The floor, the foundation, the walls. Every nook and cranny has a real persons fingerprint on it. A skilled laborer.
Sadly, some of these old relics are now a pile of rubble. Discarded, unnoticed. Unwanted by many. Loved by few. Today these buildings look old, run down, worn, even crusty. They are dilapidated, some look as if they could never find a new purpose.... I see inspiration. I see bricks that can be reused as a fireplace mantle. Boards that can be used as shelves. Windows, and doors used for home decor. I see revitalization. This rubble may not ever be the same building it once was, but it can surely be used to bring joy in other ways. The pieces can be picked up and reused to tell a new story.
We are just like these old buildings. Carefully and wonderfully made by a super skilled laborer. God knows all of our dark places. He knows where you are crumbling. He knows where life has been a little crusty. He was there placing His skilled hands on you, guiding you, loving on you. We are not broken pieces of brick and mortar. We are HIS CREATION! He lovingly created us out of his image. I , you, we, are all made in the likeliness of God. God does not see us as a pile of rubble, discarded and unwanted. He knitted us together, we are made wonderful by HIM! He can use us for His glory! Thankfully we can be picked up and be reused in ways that we never thought possible.
Jesus sees us; beautiful, full of life, with a purpose. A purpose to praise Him and bring Him glory. I pray that you allow Jesus to pick up your pieces. I pray that you allow God to use your crumbly, crusty parts to serve Him fully. Allow Him to repurpose your life into something new!
This building sits right beside the train tracks. It is a big brick building with a long porch on the front facing the road. It has large wooden doors flanked by windows. One set of doors has a set of "store front" windows, the kind that would have displayed merchandise. The roof is slanting, and you can visibly see where repairs have been made. I look at this old, worn building everyday.
I can picture a dirt road out front. Women standing on the porch crying over a loved one who just boarded the train. Men carrying trunks. Young soldiers with their packs nervously shifting their feet. Children jumping up and down excitedly anticipating the trains whistle. People going into the general store buying the necessities. Women sharing stories, Men shaking hands. People moving in and out of the building. Hustle. Bustle. Commotion. Movement. Life.
These old buildings were painstakingly built. There were no heavy machinery to make the bricks or mortar. It was done by hand. Each and every brick of this building was placed one by one by a skilled laborer. Every inch was carefully planned. The rafters were installed by hand. The floor, the foundation, the walls. Every nook and cranny has a real persons fingerprint on it. A skilled laborer.
Sadly, some of these old relics are now a pile of rubble. Discarded, unnoticed. Unwanted by many. Loved by few. Today these buildings look old, run down, worn, even crusty. They are dilapidated, some look as if they could never find a new purpose.... I see inspiration. I see bricks that can be reused as a fireplace mantle. Boards that can be used as shelves. Windows, and doors used for home decor. I see revitalization. This rubble may not ever be the same building it once was, but it can surely be used to bring joy in other ways. The pieces can be picked up and reused to tell a new story.
We are just like these old buildings. Carefully and wonderfully made by a super skilled laborer. God knows all of our dark places. He knows where you are crumbling. He knows where life has been a little crusty. He was there placing His skilled hands on you, guiding you, loving on you. We are not broken pieces of brick and mortar. We are HIS CREATION! He lovingly created us out of his image. I , you, we, are all made in the likeliness of God. God does not see us as a pile of rubble, discarded and unwanted. He knitted us together, we are made wonderful by HIM! He can use us for His glory! Thankfully we can be picked up and be reused in ways that we never thought possible.
Psalm 139:13-15, "For YOU formed my inward parts; YOU knitted me together in my mothers womb. I praise YOU, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are YOUR works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth"
Thursday, September 19, 2013
I've been spit out of the fish
I am nervous. I am excited. I am ready....
I have been waiting, and praying for this moment for almost a year. The moment when I could freely express myself. The moment when my voice would be heard throughout blog world. The moment when God says, "Yep, go ahead". The moment that I would have a blog..... (cue the Rocky music)
I have sat down several times to write this first post, but every time I chicken out. Every time I get cold feet, or find something else to do. But, every time, I am drawn back to this place. It is now time. I have prayed over this blog, I have journaled about this blog, and the Lord knows I have talked about it. So why in the world could I not sit down and write? Why couldn't I do what I wanted most to do?
Fear...Failure... The taunting familiar cries, "They're all gonna laugh at you." It is enough to paralyze someone. Fear of having a voice. Fear of being heard. Fear of having an opinion. Fear of standing up for something or to someone. FEAR....
No more will I have fear of something so silly like a blog. If I say it out loud, it sounds kind of ridicules. "Hi, I'm Katie and I am scared of my blog". Really?
I decided to turn to the one place where I could find an answer to this silly thing called fear. The Bible! There was one person who really caught my eye. One story in particular that I found great comfort in. Jonah.... He was so scared and afraid to go to Nineveh that he ran from God. He tried to go to the furthest place he could possibly go. What happened...He got swallowed by a giant fish! (Luckily I am not traveling by boat any time soon.) That is kind of what I have felt like. As much as I wanted to blog, and write encouragement for others, I was still stuck inside my giant fish. So much so, that I was learning to talk like a whale (Dory, from Nemo. Whose with me? Anybody?) I didn't realize that I had placed so much emphasis on my short comings, and not enough trust in Jesus. Just like Jonah, I began to doubt. I didn't think I could be loud enough to make a difference. I mean, why would anyone read my blog? Cue Satan. I was letting the fear overtake the Joy that I wanted to share. The Joy that Jesus has given me. The Joy that I want to be contagious. Jonah did make a difference in Nineveh. That's the encouragement that I am taking away.
Is blog world my Nineveh? Maybe, maybe not. God knows. For now I have been spit out on the beach, vulnerable and excited waiting for what God has planned next. And from now on I am going to let Him take over! For the sake of Jesus, I am putting it all on the line.
Ready or not blog world, Here I come!
I have been waiting, and praying for this moment for almost a year. The moment when I could freely express myself. The moment when my voice would be heard throughout blog world. The moment when God says, "Yep, go ahead". The moment that I would have a blog..... (cue the Rocky music)
I have sat down several times to write this first post, but every time I chicken out. Every time I get cold feet, or find something else to do. But, every time, I am drawn back to this place. It is now time. I have prayed over this blog, I have journaled about this blog, and the Lord knows I have talked about it. So why in the world could I not sit down and write? Why couldn't I do what I wanted most to do?
Fear...Failure... The taunting familiar cries, "They're all gonna laugh at you." It is enough to paralyze someone. Fear of having a voice. Fear of being heard. Fear of having an opinion. Fear of standing up for something or to someone. FEAR....
No more will I have fear of something so silly like a blog. If I say it out loud, it sounds kind of ridicules. "Hi, I'm Katie and I am scared of my blog". Really?
I decided to turn to the one place where I could find an answer to this silly thing called fear. The Bible! There was one person who really caught my eye. One story in particular that I found great comfort in. Jonah.... He was so scared and afraid to go to Nineveh that he ran from God. He tried to go to the furthest place he could possibly go. What happened...He got swallowed by a giant fish! (Luckily I am not traveling by boat any time soon.) That is kind of what I have felt like. As much as I wanted to blog, and write encouragement for others, I was still stuck inside my giant fish. So much so, that I was learning to talk like a whale (Dory, from Nemo. Whose with me? Anybody?) I didn't realize that I had placed so much emphasis on my short comings, and not enough trust in Jesus. Just like Jonah, I began to doubt. I didn't think I could be loud enough to make a difference. I mean, why would anyone read my blog? Cue Satan. I was letting the fear overtake the Joy that I wanted to share. The Joy that Jesus has given me. The Joy that I want to be contagious. Jonah did make a difference in Nineveh. That's the encouragement that I am taking away.
Is blog world my Nineveh? Maybe, maybe not. God knows. For now I have been spit out on the beach, vulnerable and excited waiting for what God has planned next. And from now on I am going to let Him take over! For the sake of Jesus, I am putting it all on the line.
Ready or not blog world, Here I come!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Word!
"Dun duun dun Duununut, Stop! Collaborate and Listen!" Many of you are singing along... . (Yeah you know who you are) "Something grabs a hold of me tightly"..."Yo! Word to ya Momma"...I have probably lost some of you right now, quit singing! (Thanks Vanilla Ice)
I was thinking about my walk with God. (Stay with me) It has changed so much over the years. From being distant from God to being a best friend with Jesus. God is someone I long to talk to everyday. However, I will admit it is hard to focus and hear from God all of the time. Sometimes I don't sit still long enough to hear Him, or some days I don't put him first. I hold the Holy Spirit at bay, instead of being willing to be consumed.
Why is it that we can sing a song from the 90's, yet we are not able to quote from a book that has been around for centuries. Mr. Ice may have been on to something. "Word to ya momma"! Shouldn't we tell of God's word to our mommas, our daddy's, our neighbors, strangers, the lady that works at the drive thru? How good does it feel when you start your day in God's Word? Why keep that to ourselves?
God is the Word. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" John 1:1-2 The Bible is actually God's Words! (I know, Duh) But have you really thought about it. God wants to talk to us, and He does! All we have to do is read and pray and listen. He has a plan for our lives, better yet He has a plan for our day. I don't know about you, but I find great comfort in that. (Remember my 3 very active boys, I need God...every minute of every day)
As we go into this new year, I want you to think about the words that you know, I mean really know. What do you keep close to your heart? What has rhythm in your life? Vanilla Ice or the Word of God?!
As for me, I plan to cling to God's Word. I want to share His word with everybody I know, with a beat box rhythm that will stay ingrained in their hearts for eternity!
I was thinking about my walk with God. (Stay with me) It has changed so much over the years. From being distant from God to being a best friend with Jesus. God is someone I long to talk to everyday. However, I will admit it is hard to focus and hear from God all of the time. Sometimes I don't sit still long enough to hear Him, or some days I don't put him first. I hold the Holy Spirit at bay, instead of being willing to be consumed.
Why is it that we can sing a song from the 90's, yet we are not able to quote from a book that has been around for centuries. Mr. Ice may have been on to something. "Word to ya momma"! Shouldn't we tell of God's word to our mommas, our daddy's, our neighbors, strangers, the lady that works at the drive thru? How good does it feel when you start your day in God's Word? Why keep that to ourselves?
God is the Word. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" John 1:1-2 The Bible is actually God's Words! (I know, Duh) But have you really thought about it. God wants to talk to us, and He does! All we have to do is read and pray and listen. He has a plan for our lives, better yet He has a plan for our day. I don't know about you, but I find great comfort in that. (Remember my 3 very active boys, I need God...every minute of every day)
As we go into this new year, I want you to think about the words that you know, I mean really know. What do you keep close to your heart? What has rhythm in your life? Vanilla Ice or the Word of God?!
As for me, I plan to cling to God's Word. I want to share His word with everybody I know, with a beat box rhythm that will stay ingrained in their hearts for eternity!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
O Christmas Tree
Every year we travel to the NC mountains to cut down that perfect Christmas tree. We have to get one with out any holes, and the perfect shape. We walk up and down the mountain, usually carrying one of my children on our shoulders, scouring the mountainside. Looking for the perfect one. "This one is too tall, this one is too round". It goes on and on, until we are finally so exhausted and so cold that we go back to the first one we looked at and chop it down. (This year our tree is ginormous!)
This year as we were decorating our tree it happened. The stressful season snuck up on me. I didn't want it to happen, but it reared its ugly head.
I have a very Norman Rockwell picture in my head of how the process should go. You know what I am talking about. Fire crackling in the background, Christmas carols being sung, hot chocolate with the perfect amount of marsh mellows snug in my hand, children laughing and singing along.... HA! Let me illustrate what it really looked like.
Kids running around the tree, me yelling "calm down, before you break something", Walker taking the newly hung ornaments off the tree, Carter putting the ornaments all in one place, and Tyler fussing about who gets to put the special ornaments up.
Crash!
Yup! It happened. Through all of the hullabaloo an ornament got knocked off and broken. What does this good mommy do? "That's it!", everyone STOP", I yelled!
It was not the reaction that Mr. Rockwell would have painted. But it was my reaction. One of our ornaments got broken. A fragile little Santa holding a heart with the words adoption painted on it. In that moment I realized I was not going about the season with the right attitude. Who cares if we are loud? Who cares if all of the ornaments are in the same spot? Does it really matter if the ornaments get put on twice?
Jesus doesn't care. He doesn't mind that we are a little loud, and cranky at times. Right then, sitting on my floor, looking up at my ginormous tree full of homemade ornaments, I decided to make this year different. Make it our own crazy "Griswald"- Asbury Christmas, with Jesus right in the center in our loud loving hearts!
This year as we were decorating our tree it happened. The stressful season snuck up on me. I didn't want it to happen, but it reared its ugly head.
I have a very Norman Rockwell picture in my head of how the process should go. You know what I am talking about. Fire crackling in the background, Christmas carols being sung, hot chocolate with the perfect amount of marsh mellows snug in my hand, children laughing and singing along.... HA! Let me illustrate what it really looked like.
Kids running around the tree, me yelling "calm down, before you break something", Walker taking the newly hung ornaments off the tree, Carter putting the ornaments all in one place, and Tyler fussing about who gets to put the special ornaments up.
Crash!
Yup! It happened. Through all of the hullabaloo an ornament got knocked off and broken. What does this good mommy do? "That's it!", everyone STOP", I yelled!
It was not the reaction that Mr. Rockwell would have painted. But it was my reaction. One of our ornaments got broken. A fragile little Santa holding a heart with the words adoption painted on it. In that moment I realized I was not going about the season with the right attitude. Who cares if we are loud? Who cares if all of the ornaments are in the same spot? Does it really matter if the ornaments get put on twice?
Jesus doesn't care. He doesn't mind that we are a little loud, and cranky at times. Right then, sitting on my floor, looking up at my ginormous tree full of homemade ornaments, I decided to make this year different. Make it our own crazy "Griswald"- Asbury Christmas, with Jesus right in the center in our loud loving hearts!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
My Blue Chair
My husband and I are doing some decorating. We are finally trying to grow our house into our life. Which really means functional, durable pieces. We are a family of 3 destructive, messy boys. We are also cheap, so off to thrift stores, Ikea and grandparents attics. We decided that we needed to add color to our very beige house. So red tables, green lamps, striped pillows and kids artwork now align our walls.
On a recent trip to my favorite thrift shop I came across a faded blue wicker chair. This chair is totally awesome! It has an upholstered seat, with real metal springs, worn arms and a deep back. I was immediately drawn to this chair. This chair called my name! It is beaten up, grungy, and worn out. Someone probably set it just hoping to make a few extra dollars, not thinking there was much life left in this old chair. It was probably discarded because its not that pretty, its not new or shiny. There are wicker pieces that are missing. The seat needs new fabric. It is dirty. But it is sooo cool!!
This has become my new favorite spot. I have barely dusted it off. The seat needs more fluff added, and cleaned but I love to sit in it. It has a slight smell of must. Yet I still sit in it. I am drawn to this chair. I love the story that it calls to me. I love the imperfections, and the life that it represents. I love the rough edges and the heart of this chair.
I know, right now you think I have totally lost my mind. But follow me for a minute. Isn't Jesus drawn to us? Aren't we worn, damaged and beaten up? Some of us might even be a little musty. Jesus tells us to come all who are weary, find strength in the shadow of His wings. Find comfort for those who are heavy laden. We could have been discarded, just like my blue chair, but Jesus came to take care of us. Jesus is always there to rescue us, he always loves us and is there for us.
I think my blue chair represents the crazy of my life. I have been through lots of ups and downs. I have done things that I regret. No matter what, I find that Jesus is always calling to me. He is always ready to restore me and clean me up. I pray that every time I pass my blue chair that I remember all that God has done for me. He is my savior and always will be!
On a recent trip to my favorite thrift shop I came across a faded blue wicker chair. This chair is totally awesome! It has an upholstered seat, with real metal springs, worn arms and a deep back. I was immediately drawn to this chair. This chair called my name! It is beaten up, grungy, and worn out. Someone probably set it just hoping to make a few extra dollars, not thinking there was much life left in this old chair. It was probably discarded because its not that pretty, its not new or shiny. There are wicker pieces that are missing. The seat needs new fabric. It is dirty. But it is sooo cool!!
This has become my new favorite spot. I have barely dusted it off. The seat needs more fluff added, and cleaned but I love to sit in it. It has a slight smell of must. Yet I still sit in it. I am drawn to this chair. I love the story that it calls to me. I love the imperfections, and the life that it represents. I love the rough edges and the heart of this chair.
I know, right now you think I have totally lost my mind. But follow me for a minute. Isn't Jesus drawn to us? Aren't we worn, damaged and beaten up? Some of us might even be a little musty. Jesus tells us to come all who are weary, find strength in the shadow of His wings. Find comfort for those who are heavy laden. We could have been discarded, just like my blue chair, but Jesus came to take care of us. Jesus is always there to rescue us, he always loves us and is there for us.
I think my blue chair represents the crazy of my life. I have been through lots of ups and downs. I have done things that I regret. No matter what, I find that Jesus is always calling to me. He is always ready to restore me and clean me up. I pray that every time I pass my blue chair that I remember all that God has done for me. He is my savior and always will be!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Letting Go, Letting God
I have been home from Peru for about 4 weeks now. I still do not have all of the words to describe my experience. I don't think I ever will. God knows how to tug on my heart and whisper in my ear, and He only means for me to totally understand it. It is one of the little gifts he has given me.
I learned this year to just let go....Let go of all of the junk the world puts on me. It is so hard to let go, but being on top of the Andes in Peru helps me. The coolness of the air, the panoramic views of white capped mountains, the beautiful, colorful people. I was able to let go of the stress of life, the worldly visions that tend to get in my way.
On the third day we were hiking on a narrow path. I was having a tough time catching my breath and getting my feet moving. I prayed..... The next thing I know I look down and my feet are moving...I know, duh! But I couldn't feel them, I was not really moving them. It was totally God!!! I let go of myself and God took over. I was completely overwhelmed. All I could do was cry. This was the first time that I let go of me. I could feel the Holy Sprirt moving my body and guiding my feet. I knew at that moment that God completley had me in the palm of His hands. I will never forget that feeling. I crave it.
I long to feel God move me again. I long to let go of me and let God take over. My prayer everyday is that there would be less of me and more of God.
I encourage you to try and let go and let God move you!
I learned this year to just let go....Let go of all of the junk the world puts on me. It is so hard to let go, but being on top of the Andes in Peru helps me. The coolness of the air, the panoramic views of white capped mountains, the beautiful, colorful people. I was able to let go of the stress of life, the worldly visions that tend to get in my way.
On the third day we were hiking on a narrow path. I was having a tough time catching my breath and getting my feet moving. I prayed..... The next thing I know I look down and my feet are moving...I know, duh! But I couldn't feel them, I was not really moving them. It was totally God!!! I let go of myself and God took over. I was completely overwhelmed. All I could do was cry. This was the first time that I let go of me. I could feel the Holy Sprirt moving my body and guiding my feet. I knew at that moment that God completley had me in the palm of His hands. I will never forget that feeling. I crave it.
I long to feel God move me again. I long to let go of me and let God take over. My prayer everyday is that there would be less of me and more of God.
I encourage you to try and let go and let God move you!
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