30 Things

Turning thirty is pretty exciting!  I love birthdays, and I've been looking forward to this one!  I've learned many valuable lessons over the last 30 years.  Some from teachers.  Some from friends.  Some because I made mistakes, and had to "fix it".  And several lessons were taught to me by my parents.  I was raised by two incredible people.  They were different from each other, but their differences made them a great team; and being a team kept them united.  They were always consistent in their parenting, and they never wasted a teachable moment with my sister or me.  In honor of my 30th birthday, I'd like to share 30 things that I've learned from my parents.  

1.   Love God.

2.   Love unconditionally.  We must love with no strings attached.

3.  Be consistent.  People should know what to expect in their dealings with you.  My parents were always consistent in their parenting.
4.  Respect others.  Period.
5.  Be true to your word & follow through.
6.  Be fair.  It's important to treat people fairly.  That is, in fact, the way that we'd all like to be treated.  However, sometimes people aren't treated fairly, and it's our responsibility to fight for justice.

 7. Be patient.  I was always taught that if you pray for patience, God will give you opportunities to practice patience.  I've learned that you can't rush things.  And you certainly can't rush people.  Everything happens in God's timing. 
8.  Follow your heart.  Pray about important decision.  Take advice from wise and trustworthy friends.  But don't forget to follow your own heart.
9.  Tell people about Jesus.  Use words if you need to, but strive everyday to SHOW others His love.
10. Be silly.  (My dad was really good at this one.)  There is, of course, always a time to be serious.  But being silly when the time is right sure is fun!
11. Tell the truth.  People deserve it.
12. Sometimes the best thing for you is a nap!  I remember, on several occasions, coming home from a sleepover at a friend's house, where we got little to no sleep.  I remember having a bad attitude toward my sister and/or parents.  Mom and Dad would always make me take a nap before I said or did something that was going to get me into trouble.  That principle still applies even though I'm now an adult.
13.  Encourage others.  Life is hard, and sometimes the road we walk is tough.  Encouraging someone, being their personal cheerleader, can change their world.  It's amazing what someone can accomplish if they know someone has got their back and will speak encouraging words over them!
14.  Help those who are down and out.  We are blessed beyond measure and we are called to help others.  
15.  Be compassionate.  Even if I may feel like someone doesn't deserve it.  I definitely didn't deserve God's compassion, grace, or mercy when He sent His Son for me.   But He sent Him anyway.  
16. Share.  Nothing that I have belongs to me, and I can't take it with me when I die.  So why keep it all for myself?
17 Pray.  Do it everyday.  All day.  It's the easiest way to stay connected to and hear from God. 
18. Pick up after yourself.
19.  Leave things in better condition than when you got it.
20. Look people in the eye.  Otherwise, how will they ever find you trustworthy?
21.  Do the right thing, even if nobody is around to see it.
22.  Don't expect praise for everything you do.
23.  Don't judge a book by it's cover.  Who am I to judge someone?  I'm not better than anybody else. 
24.  Everyone has a past, love them anyway.
25.  Obey your parents.  When you do, you're obeying God, too.
26.  Love your siblings, they really are a gift.  The older I get, the easier that is for me.
27.  Tithe.  Give back to God just a small portion of what He's blessed you with.  This has grown my faith more than anything else.  He never fails me.
28.  Pay your bills (on time) before splurging.
29.  Save money.  You never know when you're going to need it.
30.  Strive everyday to be a godly woman.  Stay in constant communication with God so that I can hear His voice and follow the path He wants me to walk down.

I will learn thousands of lessons before I die.  But I am so very thankful for this small handful that I have already learned.  They have shaped and molded me into who I am.  And that is the best birthday gift!

Lima - Days 1 and 2

Most of our team headed to Lima from DFW Sunday morning. Our plane actually boarded on time (which is rare) and we landed in Atlanta, where we met up with the remainder of our team members from Orange, TX. We had a short layover and we able to eat lunch together and get to know one another - four different churches were represented within our team. Then we boarded our plane to Lima and arrived there - after the 5 1/2 hour flight - around 11:30 p.m. The immigration line was ridiculously long, and by the time we got through it, collected our things from baggage claim, experienced a taxi ride in Lima, and checked into our hotel, it was 2:00 a.m. Needless to say, we were pretty exhausted.

On Monday, we headed out after breakfast to our first village. We divided up into 3 teams, and began to prayer walk and share the gospel in the streets. I have been on several mission trips over the past 10 years, and I have never done anything quite like this. As I mentioned in my last blog, I was quite nervous about doing street evangelism. Unfortunately, in the states we don't go door-to-door often enough to share our faith. So it was difficult for me to know how to begin talking to a complete stranger, who spoke a different language than me, about Jesus. But God had it all under control. Prayer is so powerful, and we were constantly walking and praying. Praying that God would lead us to the people who He wanted us to talk to. And He did. Most of the people we met and shared Jesus with accepted Christ. Some were unsure and said they wanted more time to think about it. But we knew it wasn't our job to "save" them, it's the job of the Holy Spirit to convict them. We are simply called to share the Good News with them. Our group members relied on each other when we would get "stuck" and not know what to say next. It was definitely a group effort!

After lunch that day, we went to the home of a man who accepted Christ in the street earlier that morning, along with two members of the local church we were working with. We began to disciple him and showed him how to read through the Bible. He had so many great questions, and we could tell just how hungry he was for something. He just didn't know it was Jesus! We were able to spend about an hour with him, and I was so encouraged by his open mind and his willingness to share his home with us.

We headed back to our hotel in late afternoon, then we walked to a restaurant for dinner. To finish the day, we had worship together at the hotel, as well as a time to share with each other experiences from the day. It was great to hear all of the wonderful things that God is doing in the that village that our team got to see.

Peru Mission, Numero Dos!

I'll be heading back to Lima, Peru on Sunday morning. I'm not going with Compassion International this time, but instead with Cottonwood Creek's Denison Campus (my sister's and brother-in-law's church), through the Eric Fuller Evangelistic Assocciation, Inc. We will be serving in a much different way than our group did back in September. Below is a schedule and prayer guide for all of my prayer warriors to use.

Sunday, March 11th - Depart DFW and fly to Atlanta and then onto Lima. Pray for us as we travel.

Monday, March 12th - We will begin the day with team orientation. Pray for the hearts of our team members, that God will give us strength and wisdom as we begin the week. After that, we will do door-to-door evangelism and a home Bible Study. Pray now for the homes that we will visit. That God will soften thier hearts and make them receptive to the Word that we will bring, and that He will stir within them and give them a desire to know Him.

Tuesday, March 13th - We will have a worship service at the First Baptist Churh in the Bocanegra area mid-morning. Then, we will spend the afternoon doing street evangelism in a new community. Again, pray for the hearts of everyone who will hear about Jesus. Some, even for the first time.

Wednesday, March 14th - We will begin the day with more street evangelism with the Frist Baptist Church in New Pachacutec. In the afternoon, we will have a home Bible Study. Pray for everyone who attends.

Thursday, March 15th - We will be sharing the Gospel and speaking at two different locations today. In the morning, we will be at New Pachacutec School, and in the afternoon, we will be at Bocanegra School. Pray for the children who will hear the Good News that we bring!

Friday, March 16th - We will leave Lima VERY early (12:25 a.m.). We will fly back to Atlanta, and then onto DFW. We are scheduled to arrive around 11:00 a.m. Pray that our team is able to rest on the flights as we prepare to be back home with our families. Quite often, it can be a hard adjustment coming back home - at least it is for me. Every time I go on a mission trip, I struggle with going back home. I always feel like I'm leaving part of my heart behind.

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm excited about this trip. My answer is always, "YES! I can't wait!" And even though that is the truth, it's hard to put into words how I'm feeling about this trip. Part of me is a little nervous. Not about the flight or leaving the country or anything. Just a little nervous about door-to-door evangelism. I struggle with rejection, so I'm praying hard that God will open the hearts of everyone we talk to. However, a bigger part of me feels like I'm going home! Peru has had a very special place in my heart for years, and I can't wait to be back there!

Thank you, again, to everyone who is praying for my team and me. You are missionaries, too! I love you all!

Peru, Here I Come!

I can't believe it's finally here! I leave for Peru in less than 48 hours!!! Thank you so much to everyone who has provided gifts, supplies, and money to make this trip possible. Words could never say how much I appreciate your generosity! I would like to ask one more thing of you all. Please lift me up. Lift up our team. Lift up the people who we will come into contact with along our journey.

Several people have asked me about specific things to pray for. Below, you will find a daily prayer guide. I know I can speak for our entire team when I say that we greatly covet your prayers!

September 10 - Pray for safe travel to Miami, then onto Lima.

September 11 - Pray for the leadership staff members whom we will meet today. They keep the heartbeat of Compassion going in Peru.

September 12 - Pray for the Compassion Child Survival Program and the child developement centers. We will work with them today. Pray for our team throughout the week as we serve the children in VBS-type services each day. I will be serving on the worship team. (I'm pretty stoked!)

September 13 - Pray for the Leadership Developement Program students of Peru today.

September 14 & 15 - Pray for our team as we serve the local families and Compassion centers. The work we do is for the purpose of being God's hands and feet to His people.

September 16 - Pray for me as I meet Josselyn today! It will be one of the most exciting days of the trip - when we see each other for the first time! Pray also for our team as we share in a Peruvian church service and join together for corporate worship.

September 17 - Pray for our team as we depart Lima early in the morning. I will fly to Miami and then back to DFW.


Thank you, dear friends, for lifting me up during this very special time. I cannot wait to share my memories (and photos) with you!

Much love!

Lemon-Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Yesterday was a rainy and very gloomy May 1st. However, my day got brighter when I got to spend the afternoon with my good friend, Hannah, and her sweet little Tucker. We watched movies, did nails, played with the baby, and mostly importantly, made some ROCKIN' cupcakes! Several friends have asked me about this recipe, so here it is. (Thanks for typing it out for me, Hannah!)...

Lemon-Cream Cheese Cupcakes

1 pkg. (2 layer size) white cake mix

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) Jello lemon flavor instant pudding

1 cup water

4 egg whites

2 Tbsp. Oil

1 pkg. Cream cheese (softened)

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter (softened)

2 tbsp. Lemon juice

1 pkg. (16 oz) powdered sugar

Heat oven 350F. Beat the first 5 ingredients in bowl with mixer (batter will be thick). Spoon into 24 muffin cups. Bake 21 to 24 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove and finish cooling. For icing: Beat cream cheese, butter, and juice. Gradually add sugar. Beat on low until smooth. Spread on cupcakes. *Optional: add lemon zest to the icing.

{I found the recipe at http://www.kraftrecipes.com}

Enjoy! We sure did!

{These are our happy faces after tasting the first batch!}

{Here is sweet Tucker. He is getting so big. He is learning to sit up on his own!}

I had such a fun day with Tucker and his mom! :)

Waiting

Waiting in line at the grocery store. Waiting to board a plane. Waiting in line for the bathroom. Waiting to read a blog from a friend who hasn't posted in months (sorry). Waiting to meet the person you're going to spend the rest of your life with. Waiting to hear from the doctor if the cancer has spread. Waiting to see where and how God wants to use you. Is there anyone that you know who actually likes waiting?

I have several friends who feel as if they are in a "waiting period" in their lives right now. Myself included. We are just not sure where God wants to take us next in life or how He wants to use us to bring glory to Himself. Sometimes it's an uneasy feeling. For those of you who know me well, you know that God often speaks to me through music. Well, I found a song - and by "found" I mean that it fell into my lap last week in a cd from a friend. It's call "Waiting Here For You" by Christy Nockels.

{Lyrics}

"If faith can move the mountains
Let the mountains move
We come with expectation
Waiting here for you, I’m waiting here for you

You’re the Lord of all creation
And still you know my heart
The Author of Salvation
You’ve loved us from the start

CHORUS
Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
Singing Alleluia

You are everything You’ve promised
Your faithfulness is true
And we're desperate for Your presence
All we need is You

CHORUS

Singing Alleluia
Alleluia, singing alleluia, alleluia

CHORUS

Waiting here for you
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
We're singing Alleluia

I'm singing Alleluia
Waiting here for you
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
Singing Alleluia
Singing Alleluia"

{Follow the link below to listen to the song.}

http://youtu.be/e2B3NB3zA9Y

So here is my declaration: It doesn't matter how long I wait to hear from God. I will worship while I am waiting. I will lift my hands high in praise to Him. I will wait with expectation and anticipation. I will continue to seek after Him. I will love Him more and more everyday. Because He is still the Lord of all Creation and he knows MY heart. He still sits on His throne. And NOTHING takes him by surprise. He has made me who I am and He will continue to guide me with each step I take.

No Plan "B"

Being a commuter (for 11 years now) and typically a very busy girl, I obviously spend lots of time in the car. Most mornings I thoroughly enjoy my commute. Don't get me wrong, I have never been one to hop right out of bed when the alarm goes off and begin whistling a merry tune. I usually hit the snooze button at least two or three times. However, as soon as I actally get up, I enjoy the quietness of the morning. But as soon as I get in the car, it's MUSIC time!!! No matter what it is - the radio, a cd, or my ipod - it's LOUD! Music is a HUGE part of my life. God speaks volumes to me through music (no pun inteded).



I absolutely love to sing in the car! It's a rare thing for me to turn the music off. I only do it occasionally - if I have some big thinking to do. And there have been difficult and painful seasons in my life when I couldn't sing. Times when all I could do was let the music heal me. I've spent my share of mornings in the car shedding tears. Tears of heartache and pain. Tears of brokeness for myself and for others. But luckily, those are only seasons, and God always leads us out of the darkness into His wonderful light!



Recently, I've come across a new song by Manafest called "No Plan 'B'" - from his latest album, "Chase". I still haven't discoverd exactly what it is about this song that I like so much. It's one of those songs that I just can't turn up loud enough! I like the lyrics, the beat, the hook. Everything! I found the "official" video on YouTube; however, I actually like the radio mix better, but was unable to find it. Check it out and let me know what you think...






Not only do I thoroughly enjoy the "sound" of the song, but also the lyrics remind me that God has a purpose for me - a 'Plan A'. It doesn't matter how many times I screw up, I never lose His purposes for my life! I have a destiny, and I've got to stick to the plan! There is no 'Plan B'!

{lyrics}

Verse:

I drop in with my face to the wind
Spin 180 for the win
But I can't find my feet it's like I lost the beat
Mid air and there's no plan B's
Hit the streets,

Look before I leap again,
Skeleton filled with Adrenalin
How can I know that I got what it takes?
When I've come so far, through the rain
Bear the pain

Makes no difference now
Face myself or get taken out
One more time got to live this loud
Back to the wall no turning around)

CHORUS:

It's too late It's my fate
I can't turn around
There's no fear, in the mirror
To hold me down
I'm too far, from the start
Now I'm in too deep

I've got to stick to the plan
Cause there's "no Plan B"

No turning back (No plan B)
There's no other path, (No plan B)

And I know that this road is my destiny
I've got to stick to the plan
Cause there's no plan B


Bridge:
All I know is I can't turn back, all I know is I can't turn back
Got to leave it in the past, got to leave it in the past.
All I know is I can't turn back, all I know is I can't turn back
Got to leave it in the past, got to leave it in the past.

Cause this is the only road I've ever known,
there's no way that I could start again, Again

Chorus Repeats