As I reflect over 2010, I am so thankful for all God has done in my life and all He is continuing to do. Here is some of what I learned and experienced.

* The year started out with great sorrow, as I watched the television and saw devastation on a land and a country that I love. Then traveling to Haiti two weeks after the quake and God opening my eyes to so many things, but not being able to share what I had experience. It was as if I was on the mountain top with the disciples, knowing I had to come done, but knowing I couldn't explain it all.
* Through the experience after the earthquake I realized I was being disobedient to God and not really giving all of myself. I knew that I needed to answer the call to move and serve in Haiti.
* God is a great orchestrator. The way he put everything together, is far better than I could ever dream.
* God walks on holy ground. Everywhere He is it is Holy. Even in the poor and desolate communities. He walks there, so it is holy.
* I learned God is a romancer. One of the areas that I struggled to give up, when being obedient, was my singlehood. While yes, God is big, way bigger than that, I just don't really expect Him to ship and husband to Haiti just for me (I realize some of you out there will say yes he can, and he might, but just go with me for a little bit). I struggled giving up the idea of marriage. While I am content in my singlehood, just the idea that it wouldn't be a possibility was kind of strange. However, after studying his word, realizing He is a romancer, we are to fall in love with him. While, he may not fulfill those desires with a husband at this time, He will FILL them!!
* God is a redeemer. I am a sinner in constant need of his redeeming powers. I am so thankful that he Redeems me.
* God continues to pursue us.
* The road is narrow and that narrow road has lots of mountains, valleys, bumps, the path is not easy on the narrow road. However, God has called us to be different. He has called us to give up everything and follow him. Literally, everything. Anything less, is disobedience.

Our God is a great God. I am so thankful he is full of grace and continues to extend his grace to me everyday.

In 2011, I am asking God to...

* Help prepare me to move to a new culture and to adjust.
* Financially provide for my move to Haiti.
* Be my constant redeemer, romancer, and friend.
* I would make His name great.
* Show me Haitian woman to mentor and disciple.


I am also trying something new in 2011...reading through the Bible chronologically and praying for different unreached people groups.

While there is more I could write, I know God is going to do great things this year and I am excited to see what he does!!

He is with the lowly

“For the great and powerful of this world, there are only two places in which their courage fails them, of which they are afraid deep down in their souls, from which they shy away. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ. No powerful person dares to approach the manger, and this even includes King Herod. For this is where thrones shake, the mighty fall, the prominent perish, because God is with the lowly. Here the rich come to nothing, because God is with the poor and hungry, but the rich and satisfied he sends away empty. Before Mary, the maid, before the manger of Christ, before God in lowliness, the powerful come to naught; they have no right, no hope; they are judged.”  - Dietrich Bonhoeffer


I remember that moment. The moment I first realized I was lowly, in desperate need of a Savior. If I am honest, I wish I would always remember how desperate we are. The moment we as Christians move to the place where we forget our total depravity, we are in danger. My prayer today is that I live remembering my total depravity. 

Day 24 - 25 Days of Christmas...Light of the World

Matthew 5: 14-16
" You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
John 1: 1-18
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)  And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." 

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Eve service is the lighting of the Candles and singing Silent Night. Last night as we were singing it, these scriptures came to mind. Jesus came to be that light. He came to save us, to redeem us. However, He didn't just come so that we would live the same. He called us to be different. He also called us to be a light. As these scriptures point out, if we truly live has a light the world will come to know Him. As we celebrate tomorrow the birth of our Savior, let's give the glory to God and remember to be children of light.  - Hope you all have a Merry Christmas

Day 23 - 25 Days of Christmas

Christmas is almost here....which means it's time to prepare the food. While at lunch today, mom suggested we make our own poppyseed dressing and sugared almonds. Just to try it. I volunteered. Well.....It took me just as long to make this Salad as it did my mom to make 3 things!! All for a salad..

Apparently, I should read instructions first....yes, blend for 7 minutes...craziness...and when they say this part may take a while, they mean at least a half hour.

  Oh well... We made it and had a great laugh!!

Day 22 - 25 Days of Christmas

I think the videos speak enough....so fun spending so much time around the little ones.

And for some good measure

Day 20-21 25 Days of Christmas

It's that time of year....one of my favorite times of the year. I love having my family around, I love the music, the blistery weather, and the meaning behind it all. It is easy to get caught up in the silly Christmas traditions and not take time to remember why we are celebrating. We are celebrating our Savior, our Redeemer. I think what I often forget is WHY that little baby was born.

1. Jesus was born because we are sinful. He came to remove those sins by becoming a perfect sacrifice.
2. To present God.
3. To teach the truth.
4. To fulfill the Law.
5. To offer His kingdom
6. To teach those who didn't understand
7. To reveal love
8. To bring peace.
9. To heal the sick.
10. So that we may know Him. He wants us to know him, so seek Him; read His commandments and follow His commandments.
11. To suffer and die. The purpose of his birth was so Calvary could happen. He came in order to make us what we could never be without Him. He came to take our place, He suffered for us, and conquered death so we wouldn't have to experience death (eternal separation from Him). Hebrews 2: 9-10 says, "But we see him for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bring many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering." He paid my penalty. He paid my debt. He came because God sovereignly designed it.
12. To receive glory and honor. Through Jesus' birth and death, He wins...He has conquered and we praise Him...He gets the glory.

I am so thankful for my Redeemer, that his grace His sufficient to meet all of my needs, and that without the birth of that little Baby, I would not have life.

Day 17-19 25 Days of Christmas

Day 17 - This year instead of buying Christmas presents for my nieces and nephews, I opted out for play dates. So Abby and my parents and I drove down to Becker. I took Abby and Troy to a Christmas tree farm that had a petting zoo (which included: horses, sheep, llama's, and a camel). Then we went to the Cafe and had a cookie and some juice!!! We had a great time on our date. They are both so special and have so much love!

To end Day 17 I went with Cory and Shannon's family to FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN to package food. It cost's 19 cents to feed a child for one day. What a blessing. In Haiti I have seen first hand how the food does nourish the children. If you are looking for a place to give this year, make a donation in someone's name and help feed a child.

     Day 18 - It finally was Dani and Courtney's turn. We went to Scoop's in the Mall of America. They really got pampered and got there nails done. I had so much fun spending the day with them. They are two beautiful and special girls. I am excited to watch them grow up.

We ended the day with family devotions. Both of my brothers do a great job raising their kids in a Christian home. I am so thankful for my family and their love and support. As much as I love to lead, my brothers set a great path for me to follow and something for me to live up to. I am so thankful for their love of Christ and desire to obey Him. I can't not talk about my sister-in-laws. They are terrific. They are sisters to me and I am so thankful for their love and friendship, as well as their relationships with Christ.

This was a special moment at Cory and Shannon's as they were teaching their kids about Jesus's birth. They also prayed over me as did their kids for my upcoming move to Haiti. It is such a blessing to have the support of my family.

Day 19 - to finish my weekend in Becker, we went to church at Cory and Shannon's church. My parents brought Don and Tamela and their two adopted children from Haiti, Audy and Islande (see their blog here), with to church. After church, we went to their pastor's house, Dave (is on the board with Jesus in Haiti )and Cherie and had a great time talking about Haiti and the vision. Along with us are my friends Nate and Kristi, who also live in Becker, but traveled with me to Haiti this summer. It was great to see everyone connected and hearing everyones story. It is amazing the pictures God paints and what he can do when we are willing to follow his plan. One thing I have learned, is His plan is far greater than anything I could ever imagine.

One more thought....today at church, the children put on their annual Christmas program. It is so easy for us to get caught up in the things of Christmas and forget the reason. They sang this song (and yes Nogiteers, the lyrics are good), it is a great reminder that it is because of the cross we celebrate and that we have life.

About the Cross
Go Fish

Verse 1:

It's not just about the manger
Where the baby lay
It's not all about the angels
Who sang for him that day

It's not just about the shepherds
Or the bright and shining star
It's not all about the wisemen
Who travelled from afar

Chorus:
It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday

It's about the cross
It's about the cross

Verse 2:

It's not just about the presents
Underneath the tree
It's not all about the feeling
That the season brings to me

It's not just about coming home
To be with those you love
It's not all about the beauty
In the snow I'm dreaming of

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:

The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it's the ending that can save you and that's why we celebrate

It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It's about God's love
Nailed to a tree
It's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me

It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
So that you and I could have real life someday

It's about the cross
It's about the cross