2011

I learned a lot in 2011.  Writing all these things makes me realize how much God has done in my life in just one year.  To be completely honest things didn't happen as I had planned or thought.  But my perspective is limited, God's is not.  I am learning to see the beauty in every moment.


So here are 11 things that I learned/realized/happened upon in 2011 (in no particular order):

1.  Change: change is the only constant.
2.  Trust: trust in the Lord with all your heart.
3.  Faithfulness: He is always faithful and asks us if we will be too.
4.  Letting go: there are some relationships that will fade.
5.  Embracing the moment: live in today, not worrying about tomorrow.
6.  Taking the step: even if others don't understand, take the step He is asking you to take.
7.  Contentedness: godliness with contentment is great gain.
8.  Memories Made: with friends and family.
9.  Transition: not as easy as I thought it would be.
10.  Confidence: knowing that I am His, nothing can change that, and I can't do anything to earn that.
11.  Growing: let your roots grow down into Him.

I am excited for 2012 and the journey that it will be.  I've been thinking and praying about what God has for this new year.

Some words that stand out are: 

Expectancy, 

Walking Alongside, 

and Journeying.

As 2012 nears I ready myself to live each day to the full, to find beauty in the unexpected places of life, to be grateful for the good and the bad, to worship Him with my whole self, and to be a beacon of His hope and light to the lost and hurting.

I hope that this new year for each of you will be met with hopeful expectation.

Christmas Eve

He has been and always will be.  

He wants to be YOUR 

Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, and 

Prince of Peace.  

Won't you welcome Him in?

A wedding weekend

This past weekend one of my dearest friends got married!

After spending a couple of days with my cousins in Kansas City I headed to Springfield.  

  

It was a wonderful weekend full of wedding festivities:

 Going to Kai for sushi was a MUST.

 Bridal shower time.

 Those cupcakes were delicious.  

 Amy & Dan, the perfect blend.

 Bff Ashley at the rehearsal dinner.

 Day of the wedding!  First stop: Hebrews (favorite coffee shop ever) for some coffee and breakfast!

 At the church, the "getting ready" rooms were great!  

 Hair and makeup

 Haha not sure why they put this in the bridal room.

 bff

 Gorgeous bride!

 Waiting for the bride!

 Here she comes, isn't she beautiful?!?!

 Prayers

 First kiss

 The happy couple!

 Reception time

She caught the bouquet! 

 Saw Miss Amelia at the wedding!

I then spent the next couple of days with Ashley in Branson.

On my way home.  Don't worry, I was stopped in traffic when I took the picture.

A little last minute Christmas shopping with the little brother.  

Isn't this the best!?!?

Family Christmas party.

 It was cozy and wonderful.

My trip was wonderful and I loved seeing friends.  They are my kindred friends and even though I may not see them that often, I treasure the time we have together.  I'm so happy for Amy and Dan, I know that they will have a beautiful journey together.  

I'm looking forward to this Christmas weekend to celebrate and reflect on Christ our Savior.  

One Year

A year ago today I stood in the corner of an airport dreading the moment that was coming when I would have to say goodbye to the kids and chaperones.  After getting a few last hugs the kids headed towards their gate.  Then the kids stepped onto the escalator and my heart sunk.  All I could think was, "now what?"  As I stood there with a few of the other aunties none of us knew what to do.  So we cried.  Then we headed to the empty and quiet bus, grabbed our suitcases, stepped off, and watched as our home drove away.

I often think back to tour.  How could I not?  Every day I think of my kids, my fellow chaperones, or the life I had for 15 months.

Things I miss:

the children, living life with them, watching them grow

the chaperones, the community and family that we became

tour life, the adventure of trusting for your daily needs and being grateful for everything whether you sleep on the floor or in a bed

starbucks, not being able to get to it makes it so much more rewarding when you do

the children

exploring this beautiful continent

the children

being forced to grow, you have no choice.

concerts

purpose

There are some days that I can hardly take it.  I miss them.  My heart aches for them.  Part of me hopes they don't forget, that they don't forget the lessons and experiences from tour, and that they don't forget me.

I will always think back to this day.  It is a day that is cemented in my heart.  Not just this day though, the 15 months leading up to it.  So forgive me if I talk about my kids or about my experiences on tour too much.  But I want to share what I experienced, I want to tell you about 23 beautiful children who love the Lord and are doing great things, I want to tell you about the chaperones that became my family, I want to tell you about the host families I had and the places I saw.

I look forward to the day when I can see them again, but this time in Africa!!!

Thankfulness

Thankfulness: 
conscious of benefit received; expressive of thanks; well pleased


This Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for.  God has blessed me and poured out His loving kindness.  Praying this morning, I began to write down things that I am thankful to God for.  Some are major growing things that God is doing inside of me and other things are the simple joys in life.  {In no particular order}

1. Shown Yourself faithful
2. Grown in my trust & faith in You
3. Given me strength & perseverance
4. Taught me where my value comes from
5. Provided for me to pay my bills
6. Given me a roof over my head & food
7. Revealing a community here in this place
8. Opened opportunities to serve
9. Blessed with good health
10. Given me hope for the future
11. Teaching me Your ways
12. My 23 beautiful children
13. The courage to listen to Your will and obey
14. Memories
15. The ability to forgive and forget
16. A family that loves me
17. The chance to encourage others
18. A future in You
19. Beauty all around me
20. Your creation and the lessons it teaches me
21. Travel
22. That I am a reflection of You
23. You are my Father in Heaven
24. I am redeemed
25. There is no condemnation in You
26. For the dreams You have given to me
27. Creativity
28. An education
29. The experiences I've had
30. Friends and kindred spirits
31. Peace of the mind & spirit
32. Coffee
33. Joy in any circumstance
34. Tears
35. Your guiding hand that never leaves me
36. Plans to go to Africa (soon!)
37. A church that is seeking You
38. Living out who You have called me to be
39. A heart of compassion
40. That You have good plans for me
41. Salvation
42. Hope for a husband someday
43. Abundant life
44. My needs are met
45. Grace & mercy
46. Your Word that guides me
47. Answered prayers
48. Patience
49. Family
50. I am Yours

I have a great deal to be thankful for.  This week especially I am thankful for good reports about my kids back in Africa.  They are growing in the Lord and doing so well in school.  They are growing up quickly.  Here is a video of some of the girls from last Thanksgiving while we were at Mirembe House:

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789:

"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, 

to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor."

Operation Christmas Child

This is my first year doing Operation Christmas Child.  It has been great!  I would encourage you to fill a shoe box and bless a child.  It is simple and a great way to start off the holiday season.  

You can find all the information you need on their website:

Operation Christmas Child

First, wrap a shoe box.

Second, fill the shoe box (you can find a list of recommended items on their website).

 I filled mine with: school supplies, personal care items, small etch-a-sketch, a little lamb, a jumprope, candy, and a few other things.  

Third, place a label for the age & gender and send!

You can even register your box online to see where it goes.  

Be creative!  Be a blessing!

What gives me value?

This video pretty much sums up what I have been growing in and learning the last couple of weeks:



It wasn't until a conversation with this dear friend that I realized just what God wanted me to know.  I know that this is nothing new and perhaps I should have known and lived this far before this moment in my life.  But, God is gracious with me.

The question of my heart has been: What gives me value?

It is NOT my job status.
It is NOT my education level.
It is NOT what others think of me.
It is NOT how much good I do.
It is NOT how much I sacrifice.
It is NOT what I do or don't do.
It is NOT my relationship status.
Etc...

So, what gives me value?

I believe it is because I am a daughter of the King.
It is because He created and purposed me to love Him before time.
It is because He loves me.

It is as simple as that.  But, we run from this don't we?  We hide behind our titles and relationships.  We barricade our hearts.  How dare we be vulnerable and honest with others.  There is no way we could show others that we are weak.  What if they see that I don't have it all together?

For me, I think Christ is asking me to let go of these things.  To lay down what I think others think of me.  To lay down what society tells me my value is.  Because you see, I am valuable because I am His. Plain and simple.  He doesn't love me more or less, ever.  His love isn't based on what I do or don't do.

That is the kind of love that I want to receive and that is the kind of love that I want to give.

I want to love my neighbor not based on how well we get along, but because they are created and purposed by God.
I want to love my friends and family not based on what they do for me, but because they are created and purposed by God.
I want to love my (hopefully) future spouse not based on what he does or how he supports me, but because he is created and purposed by God.
I want to love my future children not based on what they do or how well they behave, but because they are created and purposed by God.

This is where freedom is.  When we know our value comes from Him and not anything that we do or don't do.  I am going to walk in this freedom.  Because when I trust Him fully, that is where freedom is to be found.

I needed to be reminded today.

A bit of reminiscing.

Some reminiscing for your viewing pleasure.  

One of the many things that happened on tour after set-up was finished.  

Please note in the video how un-phased Uncle Vic is about it all :)

ArtPrize

This weekend we had gorgeous weather here in West Michigan.  It was celebrated by lots of time spent outside.  

 ^At Robinettes, I love this place.

 ^I wonder how many coats of paint are on here?

 ^God's handiwork

ArtPrize...Amy you would love this event.

^This gentleman burned the wood with a magnifying glass.  I'm pretty sure he hails from Florida or Texas for this type of art.

^Rules, rules...

^Single sheets of paper cut with an exacto knife.  

^Sister in front of the "paper trees."

^I really like all the colors.

^The artist painted all of these on a "spinning" easel.  

 ^Um, okay? Projector with a glass of water on it?  It is even for sale.

 ^Downtown

 ^Lego man

 ^Entirely made from duct tape.

 ^Don't you just LOVE the reflection of the trees in the windows.  love.

 ^The winner of ArtPrize.  The artist won $250,000.

 ^A close up of some of the tiles of the winning piece.  

 ^Monkeys on the bridge =0)

 ^Sisters

Rosy Mound

 ^Fall colors.

^I can't get enough.

^A lovely walk with Hilary.