{Friday Favorites} - April 29

I know it has been a couple of weeks since I have done some Friday Favorites...but here is what I have been up to...

1. The view from 30,000 ft. I love flying. I love flying in the morning and was able to capture this great sunrise. I flew to Minnesota a couple of weeks ago for my last training with ReachGlobal... and my tickets are bought, and am officially on my way to Haiti on June 2nd.

2. My roommate (Renee) and I did an impromptu photoshoot for my prayer cards. We went to Lakes Park and were both surprised to find some awesome spots to take pictures!! She did a great job on the pics, I absolutely love them.

3. Justin Robinett and Michael Henry.....

I think I am addicted to their music....I love the ballads, their musical ability and the random goofy things that happen in the background.

4. The 2011 NFL draft is here....and while I didn't get to watch all of it last night, I did get the updates!!! It is exciting to watch it all unfold. On a personal note, I am excited about the vikings pick, hopefully he will do well in our system!!





That's all folks...off to the FHSAA 2011 Class 1A State Track Meet....let's go Sentinels.

{Fear}

I have never been a person that is very fearful, I would like to think I am brave. However, over the last 3 months Satan has definitely used his attacks to make me afraid. I almost have to laugh at myself about what I have had fear over the last months, recognizing of course that this fear only comes from Satan and has no power over me. However, fear can be almost choking at times, it makes things cloudy, we loose our sense of purpose, our sense of authority with Christ and we begin to forget the Christ has won the battle. One of my favorite books, is "Praying God's Word" by Beth Moore It has helped me so much in the last 3 months. When I am feeling afraid, I take it out and start quoting prayers that are directly from God's word. Here are some that have helped me as of late....

You Lord, reign! You are robed in majesty and you are armed with strength! Your throne was established long ago: You are from all eternity. You are mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea - the Lord on high is mighty! (Ps. 93:1-2, 4)

Victorious God, I celebrate the fact that You, the God of peace, will soon crush Satan under Your feet and until then the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with us. (Rom. 16:20)

Glorious God, I thank You for qualifying me to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For You have rescued me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of the Son you love, in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:12-14)

He Really Cares That Much

The world likes to call these moments "coincidences." I must admit that sometimes it is hard for me to not call them that as well. It's hard for me to believe that God really cares THAT much about me, to care for me in the even the little details of moments; those moments that would be so easy to call it an accident.

I had one of those moments this week. I have really been struggling to decide if I should work in Haiti for the first month, so that I would fulfill my contract and most importantly not putting my teammates in a bad situation. Well, "it just so happened" that there was another teacher who was part-time that wanted to come back full-time and whom could come back June 1st (I leave June 2nd) and who would love my role as "grader" on the team of 3 I am on. It would be so easy to call this a coincidence, it is a little detail, I believe it is God working it out. He cares for me, even in the little things. It has been in these moments, that I find myself falling more in love with Jesus and feeling the wait of His pursuit on my life.

I have been reading about these moments in my Bible Study (Ruth, by Kelly Minter). In Ruth 2:3 it says, "...she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz..." and in Ruth 2:4 it says, "And Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem.." both of these moments seem so coincidental, yet God had a direct plan. If you continue to read Ruth, you will see that Boaz redeems Ruth and is part of the genealogy of David. I am so thankful that we have a God who cares for us that much that he cares about the little moments in our lives.

{Friday Favorites} - April 8, 2011

They are back!! It seems as if I was a little busy during the month of March, but have no fear, I have returned to the blogging world :)

1. My Family....everyone was together the last week of March, we had a great time :) Had lots of laughs, sun and water. The kids all did great with little sleep and constant movement!!!

2. Track and Coaching....I love track season, at times it can be intense for the kids, but I love watching them PR and excel. It reminds me of the good old days, we my running mates in high school. All of the training, hardwork, morning runs, is all worth it.

3. Don't laugh at me on this one..."One Shining Moment"
March Madness is on of my all time favorite things, from the moment of the first tip off until this silly montage video happens. It's do or die for these kids and they leave it all on the court. This year's tournament stayed true to it's name, madness. It was crazy, but that is why we love it.
So truth time here...I love the photo montage. I have to watch it every year and every year I have little tears (I was watching with friends this year, so I fought them back), but I am always a little sad to see the season go....

Happy Friday to everyone, I'm off to the pool!

Happenings...

Spring is in the air, Haiti has a new President, and I need to start packing soon! It's so hard to believe that in 2 months I need to back my most needed belongings into 6 boxes (that weigh less than 50lbs), that is quite the task. Leaving my family and friends is hard; change is hard, yet exciting when you know you are in the place that God has called you to. I was talking to my brother today about how easy it is to lose focus. How easily we get distracted, feel inadequate, get busy and let the mundane things of our life get in the way. I am learning that I constantly am needing to refocus and set my mind on things above. I love how the Message Bible says it. "So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective" (Colossians 3:1-2). We need to pursue the things of Christ and see things from His perspective. 

It has been quite the busy month for me. My parents were in Florida for most of the month. I enjoyed spending my mornings and evenings with them. At the end of the month my siblings and their families also were down in Florida. We had a great week. We went to the beach, played golf, went to the pool, watched basketball and laughed a lot. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family. They are so supportive and are a great encouragement to me. Next week I will be traveling to Minneapolis for my Pre-Field Training. I am excited to spend time with other people that are also on their way to the mission field and to learn more about what God has called us to. 

Living Free In Christ

I am currently taking my last Pre-Field Training course. This week we started our study of Spiritual Warfare and knowing our enemy. More importantly having the knowledge of God, knowing Him and, knowing who we are in Christ. Here is an excerpt from Neil Anderson's book...it is so important as Christians that we know the power we have in Christ and know the promises of God.


Who am I?
I am accepted because…
John 1:12  I am God’s child.
John 15:15  I am Christ’s friend.
Romans 5:1  I have been justified.
1 Cor. 6:17  I am united with the Lord, and one spirit with Him.
1 Cor. 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price.  I belong to God.
1 Cor. 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
Eph. 1:1  I am a saint.
Eph 1:5   I have been adopted as God’s child.
Eph. 2:18  I have direct access to God through the
    Holy Spirit.
Col. 1:14   I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Col. 2:10  I am complete in Christ.

I am secure because…
Rom. 8:1-2  I am free forever from condemnation.
Rom 8:28  I am assured that all things work together for good.
Roma 8:35-39 I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Cor. 1:21-22 I have been established, anointed, and sealed
        by God.
Col. 3:3   I am hidden with Christ in God.
Phil. 1:6  I am confident that the good work God has begun
    in me will be perfected.
Phil. 3:20  I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Tim. 1:7  I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power,
    love, and a sound mind.
 and mercy in time of need.  Heb. 4:16  I can find grace
1 John 5:18  I am born of God, and the evil one cannot
    touch me.

I am significant because…
Matt. 5:13-14 I am the salt and light of the earth.
e true vine, flowing with life.  John 15:1, 5  I am a branch of th
John 15:16  I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8  I am a personal witness of Christ’s
1 Cor. 3:16  I am God’s temple.
2 Cor. 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
2 Cor. 6:1  I am God’s co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9).
rist in the heavenly realms.  Eph. 2:6  I am seated with Ch
Eph. 2:10  I am God’s workmanship.
Eph. 3:12  I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Phil. 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who
    strengthens me.
(From “Living Free in Christ” by Dr. Neil Anderson)

{Friday Favorites}

Being in that I am in Haiti this weekend, my Friday Favorites will be Haitian themed.

I love the generosity of the Haitian people. We want over to Maxo’s house (whom I just meet but is a friend of Christine’s and Wes’s), immediately they were so happy to have us at their home. They brought out chairs for us to sit on (this is a must in Haiti) and then offered us cold drinks. He brought out his kids and had them sing for us. I love that Haitian’s enjoy having people over and treat you like family when you come to visit.

Tea Tree Shampoo – Ok so this doesn’t really have anything to do with Haiti, except for that I bought a travel size bottle and brought it with me. I love it. It makes my fair feel soft and it smells so good!!

Food with Spice – On Monday, I went out to eat with my best friend Betha and we were commenting on how we love food with spice. I think that is why I get along so well with the food here in Haiti. Everything has a little spice to it…and if it doesn’t, they always add hot sauce!! I love the food here.

Packing List –So, being in Haiti has made me think about what I will need to bring when I move…here is the list so far; any suggestions?

Bedroom Bedspread Sheets Ikea Lamp Pictures Ipod music dock Clothes Plastic Bins for cloths * Drawer system * Eagles Nest Chair* Hammock*

Bathroom * Washcloth Bathroom Mat Shower Curtain Shower Caddy Bathroom Supplies

Personal Kurig Coffee Pot/Coffee Tervis Tumbler Tea Bible/Books DVD’s – Seasons

Have a great weekend!!!