My mom is great! She has taught me some really great things. One of my favorite things about her is the way that she loves and serves people. She definitely has the spiritual gift of hospitality and I want to be like her.
This weekend I have been at the Worldwide Student Network (WSN) Conference for our students who are going on an International Summer Project. It's amazing to see how many students are being called overseas to reach students for Christ! We have about 90 students here going to East Asia, Botswana, Kazakhstan, Australia, Venezuela, and North Africa. This is the first weekend they have met together as a team and are getting to know one another. It's fun to see them begin to bond!
To connect the two thoughts.....
I have had the privilege of feeding all of these students and staff this weekend. Between breakfasts and lunches and dinners, I have traveled to and from the grocery store a 1/2 dozen times and made sure every one here has a happy belly! But all this to say, my mom taught me so much about caring for people in this way. Between all of the cookouts and get togethers at our house, the parties, and snack supers at church, she has taught me a ton! I have so much to learn, but am SO THANKFUL for her!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
already forgotten...
I should have written this yesterday, but I forgot. Another reason, I'm keeping this blog.
Yesterday, it was a quite pleasant day. The sun was shining and the air was warm. I took Silas on a walk to Rita's Water Ice to get refreshed by the yummy flavors that they always offer. I haphazardly grabbed my debit card on the way out and went!
When I got to Rita's the line was through the parking lot. However, since it was sunday afternoon and I didn't have much to wait for, I decided to stand in line. Many people asked about my dog (because he is so dang cute) and I had a lot of fun conversations while waiting. 25 minutes later, I got to the front of the line and slowly pulled out the card that I thought was my debit card to get ready to pay for my water ice. However, when i reached into my pocket, I realized that I had accidently grabbed my staples rewards card instead of my card that could actually pay for something. IDIOT...I thought!
I sheepishly walked out of line explaining to the people behind me that I had grabbed the wrong card. The man looked at me and said "ma'am, it's crazy for your to have waited all this time and not get anything. Here is some money, grab what you want! I would be glad to be pay for you!"Somewhat embarrassed, I declined, but they insisted and paid for me to get my Rita's!
Sometimes God is so sweet in those moments! I love how he uses strangers to provide for us in the least expectant ways. Never did I think on my walk to Rita's that I would be treated to a delicious cup of mango and watermelon water ice by a stranger! Next time, however, I will remember to not be such and idiot and grab something that will actually pay for what I want!
That was something worth remembering!
Yesterday, it was a quite pleasant day. The sun was shining and the air was warm. I took Silas on a walk to Rita's Water Ice to get refreshed by the yummy flavors that they always offer. I haphazardly grabbed my debit card on the way out and went!
When I got to Rita's the line was through the parking lot. However, since it was sunday afternoon and I didn't have much to wait for, I decided to stand in line. Many people asked about my dog (because he is so dang cute) and I had a lot of fun conversations while waiting. 25 minutes later, I got to the front of the line and slowly pulled out the card that I thought was my debit card to get ready to pay for my water ice. However, when i reached into my pocket, I realized that I had accidently grabbed my staples rewards card instead of my card that could actually pay for something. IDIOT...I thought!
I sheepishly walked out of line explaining to the people behind me that I had grabbed the wrong card. The man looked at me and said "ma'am, it's crazy for your to have waited all this time and not get anything. Here is some money, grab what you want! I would be glad to be pay for you!"Somewhat embarrassed, I declined, but they insisted and paid for me to get my Rita's!
Sometimes God is so sweet in those moments! I love how he uses strangers to provide for us in the least expectant ways. Never did I think on my walk to Rita's that I would be treated to a delicious cup of mango and watermelon water ice by a stranger! Next time, however, I will remember to not be such and idiot and grab something that will actually pay for what I want!
That was something worth remembering!
And, if you haven't had Rita's, you should try it! It's absolutely delicious on a warm sunny day!! My favorites are mango, watermelon, swedish fish, cotton candy, and tropical fusion! Yum!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Self Discovery...
I think one of the best things about life is when you discover something new about yourself. It's so fun to realize what you like and what you don't like. So often though, when people ask me about my "favorites", I don't have an answer. It's almost like I'm scared to commit to something. "Favorites" seem so permanent. Nonetheless, these are some of the things I love right now, as of March 21. I need to let myself have the freedom to let them change if they want! You can always update your favorites list right?
1. I love the color green.
2. My all time favorite movie is Home Alone. I just love it. It makes me laugh every time! (It's absolutely ridiculous to think that a family could actually leave their 8 year old child at home, but still, it's great!)
3. My favorite season is fall. (although i do love the spring after a cold winter)
1. I love the color green.
4. My favorite drink is Diet Sunkist.
5. My favorite form of chocolate is the m&m. (although i do miss the light brown color that was replaced by the blue sometime ago).
6. My favorite flavor of Ice Cream is usually just a Vanilla Soft Serve Cone with Rainbow sprinkles.
All of this was spawned on by the fact that for a long time, I didn't think I liked concerts. I had been to one back in college and it was "okay", but not life changing. So, I just decided then that I didn't particularly like them. However, this past weekend I went to see Mat Kearney and Ingrid Michaelson with Tim at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia on a complete whim. However, I absolutely loved it! I had a blast. I want to go again! There is something about live music and good company that makes for a great night!
Monday, March 15, 2010
the past 24 hours...
After picking up friends from the airport last night, I return home at 1 a.m. to find this:
I am such an idiot. Who leaves the garbage can in the middle of the kitchen with their curious pup. Let's just say, I will never do that again. And poor Silas. I had cleaned out my refrigerator yesterday. He ended up consuming a broken raw egg, old grapes, and a sour quart of milk (he tore through the container and must have licked it up). As he came to bed, I could tell his tummy was feeling horrible. He groaned all night and slept as close to me as he could get. I was worried. But today, he is back to normal!
Mondays are always hard days. Especially when you have lost an hour of sleep, stayed up to 2 a.m., and then it's pouring down rain. Needless to say, I have 3 highlights.
1. I made a huge pot of Brunswick Stew for work tomorrow! I love to cook! It makes me really happy.
2. I made a cake for my neighbor Joe. Today he is 53! I am so thankful for their friendship. I love to bake too. Sometimes I think it would be fun to decorate cakes all day. (i'm not that skilled at it, but it's super fun).
3. I got a new bible in the mail. You may laugh, but it's one of the greatest translations! From beginning to end, this version of scripture shows children that the bible is a book about Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, it show's the redemptive story of Christ. I just love it! I can't wait to read it!
Today was a great day!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
A dog on a leash.
Before I got my dog, I remember praying that God would use him in my life to meet people and that he would be part of my ministry. Kind of a funny prayer, but I have met an incredible amount of people on my walks that I would never have met while walking alone. There is something about a cute dog with a 2 foot wagging tail that attracts people. I love it and continue to pray that God would use Silas to allow me to meet people who don't know Jesus.
In this prayer, however, I never thought the Lord would use him so deeply in my own life to show me a picture of Christ. Silas is a relatively good dog, he doesn't chew my belongings, doesn't use the bathroom in the house (unless we're at my parents), and he is super protective of me. One of our favorite things to do together is to walk. Each morning he runs down the front stairs, runs straight into the yard, uses the bathroom and then looks at me like "mommy, I'm ready to go now!"I hook him up and we are off. Although Silas loves our walks, he has a mind of his own. When a particular smell gets him, he is stubborn and fixated on finding out exactly what it is. He sometimes tends to wander into the busy street because the sound of something catches his attention. There is also a cute little duck couple that swim together in a pond that Silas always wants to drag me in to see. (Falling into a pond on a 30 degree morning is not my idea of fun...nor would it be for Silas if I actually allowed him to do so). All this to say, the leash and my wimpy strength are the only thing that keep Silas on the path.
As I was walking one morning, I realized how much my morning walks with Silas are so much like my own walk with God. All I want for Silas is that he would walk alongside me and keep in step with me. I want him to not get distracted by all that is going on on either side of the path, but I want him to trust me to know what's best for him. Silas has no idea that cars driving down the street at 40 miles per hour would tremendously hurt him or kill him. Or that licking something up on the sidewalk (usually outside of the Crossroads Bar in Downingtown) is probably not good for his stomach, seeing that it wasn't good for someone else's. Or that if we don't get his morning exercise, he is going to be a wild man all day while I'm at work and he is hanging out at home in the kitchen alone. Because I love him dearly and would do almost anything for him, I want him to trust me to know what's best for him. I pull the leash to gently guide him back to the path because I do know what's best for him.
This same idea is strikingly similar to my own walk with God. He loves me deeply and more than anyone or anything ever will. In Ephesians, Paul prays that the people would be able "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (3:18b-19). Most days, however, I walk in such a way that I think I know what's best for me. I get distracted by the ways and the things of the world that seem so much better than the path God has me on. I want to be financially stable and therefore I get jealous of people with high power jobs with six figure pay checks. I want to find some sort of value in worth in what I look like so I continually obsess about my appearance and what others must think of me. I want people to love me and appreciate me so I'm continually trying to earn the affection of others. I am constantly pulling on the leash into the street, under bushes, and into dangerous territory. In the same way that I gently pull the leash, God is doing the same. Through his words in scripture and his spirit within me, He reminds me often of the path he has called me to walk. Sometime I think I am fixated on a particular spot on my walk, not just for minutes, but for days, weeks and months. I wonder why God doesn't just leave me there. Doesn't he get tired of pulling the leash? Doesn't he get annoyed that we won't just COME ON! But that is not our God. He is committed to doing what he started in those who love him and know him. He is committed to being faithful to them, even when we are not faithful to him.
If you don't believe that God if faithful to his promises, just read the Old Testament. It is incredible to see over and over again the cycle of the Israelites and their relationships with God. You will be sure to see their fickleness and I guarantee if you were in charge, you would have thrown in the towel by now and picked someone else to fulfill the promise. But God doesn't! He gets angry sometimes and allows them to experience heartache and suffering, but he never leaves. And, he is always there waiting for them to run back into his arms! It's unreal. It's amazing! It's the gospel.
One of the fears in my life that I have begun to uncover in the past week is my fear of bringing my sin to the Lord. I fear that when I do, he will realize who I really am and want to throw in the towel. My bank account of grace for the same old thing will be over drafted. But, as I was reading a book this week, the author reminded me of this verse in scripture. Hebrews 7:25-27 says that "Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself". What I saw, maybe for the first time, is a picture of Jesus standing before the throne, continually absorbing the cost of my sin. His sacrifice was once and for all. It does not run out. I am amazed at the length that Christ went to to draw us into a relationship with himself. I long to understand what Paul meant in Ephesians about the depth, breadth, and length of Christ's love for me. I believe that my understanding in this truth will be life changing.
Each morning as I walk Silas, I am reminded of God's desire for me to walk in step with him. He has quite the adventure for us that is GOOD. He might lead us along some scary places, but He will be there to walk alongside us.
I'm excited to see what God will continue to teach me through my sweet puppy. I pray that you too would allow Jesus to teach you new things through people, pets, children, and friends in your life!
In this prayer, however, I never thought the Lord would use him so deeply in my own life to show me a picture of Christ. Silas is a relatively good dog, he doesn't chew my belongings, doesn't use the bathroom in the house (unless we're at my parents), and he is super protective of me. One of our favorite things to do together is to walk. Each morning he runs down the front stairs, runs straight into the yard, uses the bathroom and then looks at me like "mommy, I'm ready to go now!"I hook him up and we are off. Although Silas loves our walks, he has a mind of his own. When a particular smell gets him, he is stubborn and fixated on finding out exactly what it is. He sometimes tends to wander into the busy street because the sound of something catches his attention. There is also a cute little duck couple that swim together in a pond that Silas always wants to drag me in to see. (Falling into a pond on a 30 degree morning is not my idea of fun...nor would it be for Silas if I actually allowed him to do so). All this to say, the leash and my wimpy strength are the only thing that keep Silas on the path.
As I was walking one morning, I realized how much my morning walks with Silas are so much like my own walk with God. All I want for Silas is that he would walk alongside me and keep in step with me. I want him to not get distracted by all that is going on on either side of the path, but I want him to trust me to know what's best for him. Silas has no idea that cars driving down the street at 40 miles per hour would tremendously hurt him or kill him. Or that licking something up on the sidewalk (usually outside of the Crossroads Bar in Downingtown) is probably not good for his stomach, seeing that it wasn't good for someone else's. Or that if we don't get his morning exercise, he is going to be a wild man all day while I'm at work and he is hanging out at home in the kitchen alone. Because I love him dearly and would do almost anything for him, I want him to trust me to know what's best for him. I pull the leash to gently guide him back to the path because I do know what's best for him.
This same idea is strikingly similar to my own walk with God. He loves me deeply and more than anyone or anything ever will. In Ephesians, Paul prays that the people would be able "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (3:18b-19). Most days, however, I walk in such a way that I think I know what's best for me. I get distracted by the ways and the things of the world that seem so much better than the path God has me on. I want to be financially stable and therefore I get jealous of people with high power jobs with six figure pay checks. I want to find some sort of value in worth in what I look like so I continually obsess about my appearance and what others must think of me. I want people to love me and appreciate me so I'm continually trying to earn the affection of others. I am constantly pulling on the leash into the street, under bushes, and into dangerous territory. In the same way that I gently pull the leash, God is doing the same. Through his words in scripture and his spirit within me, He reminds me often of the path he has called me to walk. Sometime I think I am fixated on a particular spot on my walk, not just for minutes, but for days, weeks and months. I wonder why God doesn't just leave me there. Doesn't he get tired of pulling the leash? Doesn't he get annoyed that we won't just COME ON! But that is not our God. He is committed to doing what he started in those who love him and know him. He is committed to being faithful to them, even when we are not faithful to him.
If you don't believe that God if faithful to his promises, just read the Old Testament. It is incredible to see over and over again the cycle of the Israelites and their relationships with God. You will be sure to see their fickleness and I guarantee if you were in charge, you would have thrown in the towel by now and picked someone else to fulfill the promise. But God doesn't! He gets angry sometimes and allows them to experience heartache and suffering, but he never leaves. And, he is always there waiting for them to run back into his arms! It's unreal. It's amazing! It's the gospel.
One of the fears in my life that I have begun to uncover in the past week is my fear of bringing my sin to the Lord. I fear that when I do, he will realize who I really am and want to throw in the towel. My bank account of grace for the same old thing will be over drafted. But, as I was reading a book this week, the author reminded me of this verse in scripture. Hebrews 7:25-27 says that "Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself". What I saw, maybe for the first time, is a picture of Jesus standing before the throne, continually absorbing the cost of my sin. His sacrifice was once and for all. It does not run out. I am amazed at the length that Christ went to to draw us into a relationship with himself. I long to understand what Paul meant in Ephesians about the depth, breadth, and length of Christ's love for me. I believe that my understanding in this truth will be life changing.
Each morning as I walk Silas, I am reminded of God's desire for me to walk in step with him. He has quite the adventure for us that is GOOD. He might lead us along some scary places, but He will be there to walk alongside us.
I'm excited to see what God will continue to teach me through my sweet puppy. I pray that you too would allow Jesus to teach you new things through people, pets, children, and friends in your life!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
"You're beginning to look like Silas more and more..."
I entitled this as I did because that is what my sweet mother told me this morning. I know that most of you reading this know Silas, but if you don't I would love an excuse to show you a picture of him.
Isn't he precious? My mom assured me that this was a compliment, but I'm not so sure! I attempted to believe the best in my mom's words and came up with some conclusions. We might not look alike (you might disagree), we sure act it. We both whine when we want something to go our way. We both LOVE treats from the treat jar (Silas loving bones, me loving candy). We enjoy being outside, as well as laying on the couch every once and a while. Our possessions aren't worth going into the garbage until they are completely destroyed and utterly unrecognizable. We both have tall, long legs and are somewhat lanky. We are both good listeners (Silas always listens...and he even turns his head back and forth like he can understand what's really going on). And finally, ever time we see a dog on our walks around the neighborhood, I must pet them and Silas must sniff their butt. So, if this is what my mom was talking about, I would say we are somewhat alike.
However, if you were to ask me what the ultimate compliment would be for me, I think you would be surprised as to what I might say. Recently, in a staff meeting, we were discussing the many talents and abilities of one particular man in our office. Basically, he can do anything! One of my team members described him as a Swiss Army Knife.
Isn't that awesome! I know the picture is a bit exaggerated, but think about someone calling you a swiss army knife! You'd be their go to person! Someone they can count on to fix or do anything. Maybe it's just my desire to be all things to all people (which is probably impossible), but I still think it's a pretty sweet nick name!
I'm not sure what kind of "tools" I would want to pop out when you pushed the right button, but there are many things I find myself completely helpless to when it comes to doing. For instance, my taxes. I have a college education from a good university and I can barely understand the directions on how to fill those stinking forms out. Every year I end up in tears at some point in the process. This year it is only a matter of time. Also, my car! I have no idea how it works or what's wrong with it when it makes a funny noise. All I know how to do is put gas in it, refill the washer fluid and take it to get an oil change once and a while. I'm thankful for my sweet dad who always tried to teach me how things worked and what to do if i heard a certain noise. He's still the first person I call when I have a problem.
a note about today....
Today was a good day. I was reunited with one of my favorite beverages that I probably haven't had in over a year.
You might laugh, but it is absolutely delicious. I realized after making an entire pitcher of it this morning that my favorite cup was at work. Instead of just settling for another cup to drink out of, I took the whole 2 quarts to work. Jenn made some sort of remark when I pulled the 2 quarts of orange flavored beverage out of my lunch bag. However, because both of us enjoyed the entire thing before lunch, I think it was worth the effort to take it. Maybe tomorrow it will happen again!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
An Introduction...
I have always been a hater of blogs. I mean, who wants to display their life on the internet for everyone to read. However, I have been intrigued by a couple of my friends' blogs and have really enjoyed hearing about their lives. More than anything, something worth remembering happens everyday. I'm realizing that if I don't write these things down, I tend to forget. Something that might have made me laugh, cry, scream, ponder, or just challenge me, could be lost forever. Also, throughout the entire Old Testament, God is continually calling the Israelites to REMEMBER! They are challenged to remember God's faithfulness and deliverance of them so that when times are hard and God might be hard to see, they will have a foundation to move forward and continue to trust him.
God teaches me new things daily and I want to remember them. Currently for part of my ministry training, I have to study an epistle for 1 month. I have been studying Galatians for the past week and I feel as though God is showing me new things daily. Although I have known the gospel since I was a small child, I am realizing that my life doesn't always filter through the truth that it communicates. For example, although I know that I am completely saved by grace, I think there is some way in which I need to earn God's favor for me. I need to read my bible daily, speak in psalms, be a patient driver, be joyous always, praying continually and the list continues...Instead of accepting Christ's forgiveness, I try and partner with God to somehow justify receiving the amazing gift that he has given. Is anything really free? I love Paul's blatant response to this. He says in Galatians 2:21 "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing." My continual efforts to earn God's favor and affection for me are in a sense belittling the fact that my righteousness was earned through Christ's death on the cross. Any efforts on my part to become "more righteous" are worthless. It has already been done. Paul later continues in Galatians saying that we are literally "clothed in Christ". It is like he has allowed us to be completely encapsulated by the very body and being of Christ himself. Weird in some ways to think about, but beautiful! I have a long way to go until my actual heart reflects the work that Christ has already done, but I continue to believe God's Spirit to work in me.
My challenge for the days, weeks and months ahead is this:
"But by faith, we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope" Galatians 5:5
God teaches me new things daily and I want to remember them. Currently for part of my ministry training, I have to study an epistle for 1 month. I have been studying Galatians for the past week and I feel as though God is showing me new things daily. Although I have known the gospel since I was a small child, I am realizing that my life doesn't always filter through the truth that it communicates. For example, although I know that I am completely saved by grace, I think there is some way in which I need to earn God's favor for me. I need to read my bible daily, speak in psalms, be a patient driver, be joyous always, praying continually and the list continues...Instead of accepting Christ's forgiveness, I try and partner with God to somehow justify receiving the amazing gift that he has given. Is anything really free? I love Paul's blatant response to this. He says in Galatians 2:21 "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing." My continual efforts to earn God's favor and affection for me are in a sense belittling the fact that my righteousness was earned through Christ's death on the cross. Any efforts on my part to become "more righteous" are worthless. It has already been done. Paul later continues in Galatians saying that we are literally "clothed in Christ". It is like he has allowed us to be completely encapsulated by the very body and being of Christ himself. Weird in some ways to think about, but beautiful! I have a long way to go until my actual heart reflects the work that Christ has already done, but I continue to believe God's Spirit to work in me.
My challenge for the days, weeks and months ahead is this:
"But by faith, we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope" Galatians 5:5
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