Boys:
Girls:
Monday, May 14, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
little bit of life
Five years ago I graduated from KCU magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in youth and family ministries.
Never would I have ever imagined what God had up his sleeve in the five years since I graduated. I have been to Italy twice, back to visit my friends in England twice, going to Haiti in a few days, and have had SEVERAL jobs. Every job has been a blessing and a chance to learn more about myself.
The four jobs I have right now are a huge blessing... all of them deal with children... and three are in ministry, although I consider my fourth job, subbing, as a ministry.
Here's to many more years of learning more about myself, my God, and the people around me. I look forward to it all.
**Side note: I have only $2900 left of my student loan. For those of you who need advice on how to do that in five years since you're graduating today (or this month), pay off as much as you can. Don't give in to the lie that they will "lower your monthly payment"... they just want more of your money through interest. That also means saying NO to a lot of things that you want right away. I am looking forward to being debt free to give away more money to people who need it, but I am also looking forward to buying a REALLY good camera and possibly taking classes for it.
*** Also to clarify about my comment on the last post on budgeting $14/week for food... My friend Katie did that during Lent. Apparently the average person in poverty survives on just $14/week. I'm eatting a LOT of the same foods... spaghetti without meat and PBJ.... Drinking lots of water...
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. ~Proverbs 11.25 NLT
Thanks to those who have been praying for me, gave to me financially, or helped out on our project website.
Never would I have ever imagined what God had up his sleeve in the five years since I graduated. I have been to Italy twice, back to visit my friends in England twice, going to Haiti in a few days, and have had SEVERAL jobs. Every job has been a blessing and a chance to learn more about myself.
The four jobs I have right now are a huge blessing... all of them deal with children... and three are in ministry, although I consider my fourth job, subbing, as a ministry.
Here's to many more years of learning more about myself, my God, and the people around me. I look forward to it all.
**Side note: I have only $2900 left of my student loan. For those of you who need advice on how to do that in five years since you're graduating today (or this month), pay off as much as you can. Don't give in to the lie that they will "lower your monthly payment"... they just want more of your money through interest. That also means saying NO to a lot of things that you want right away. I am looking forward to being debt free to give away more money to people who need it, but I am also looking forward to buying a REALLY good camera and possibly taking classes for it.
*** Also to clarify about my comment on the last post on budgeting $14/week for food... My friend Katie did that during Lent. Apparently the average person in poverty survives on just $14/week. I'm eatting a LOT of the same foods... spaghetti without meat and PBJ.... Drinking lots of water...
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. ~Proverbs 11.25 NLT
Thanks to those who have been praying for me, gave to me financially, or helped out on our project website.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Bottle
One of the things I am trying to do the month of May is budget for food ($14/week) and drink water... a lot.
Water is delicious.
As I am getting ready to go to Haiti, I am more aware of how precious water is.
I have a bottle collection:
Each bottle means something to me. The water bottle in the front is from my senior year of college. I was at a winter retreat with high school students (shout out to my Mahoning kids -- yes, I am still in touch with some of the students -- freshmen when I met them and now in COLLEGE!).
The speaker was talking about David's Mighty Men (2 Samuel 23.8-29 and 1 Chronicles 11.10-47). He gave everyone a water bottle and asked us to think of the most important thing in our lives right now. He challenged us to pour the water (and our problem/fear/worry/anxiety/most important thing in our lives) out before the Lord.
To get the reference, check out this section of 2 Samuel:
15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.
David was super thirsty. He had great friends who risked their lives to get him a drink. But David poured it out before the Lord.
It was a sacrifice, as I am sure that David really wanted to drink the water.
My trip to Haiti is more an act of obedience than anything else.
I didn't even have to think about it.
The opportunity was presented and it didn't take long for me to say yes.
I know God has great things in store for next week!
I could be comfortable just staying at home.
Right now Haiti is a country far away from my home.
I know some people who have been there, but it is very impersonal to me.
I don't know anyone who lives in Haiti. I can't see names or faces... yet.
I can take showers whenever I want.
Water is free and safe to drink... and I have enough money to buy other drinks than water.
So I am putting aside my comfort zone and going.
For my eyes to be open to new aspects of God, myself, and others.
For my heart to break in a new way so that God can use it.... sometimes our hearts don't NEED to heal from brokenness. We just need to act on what we know about what breaks our hearts.
Here's to a new adventure with God!
Water is delicious.
As I am getting ready to go to Haiti, I am more aware of how precious water is.
I have a bottle collection:
The speaker was talking about David's Mighty Men (2 Samuel 23.8-29 and 1 Chronicles 11.10-47). He gave everyone a water bottle and asked us to think of the most important thing in our lives right now. He challenged us to pour the water (and our problem/fear/worry/anxiety/most important thing in our lives) out before the Lord.
To get the reference, check out this section of 2 Samuel:
15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.
David was super thirsty. He had great friends who risked their lives to get him a drink. But David poured it out before the Lord.
It was a sacrifice, as I am sure that David really wanted to drink the water.
My trip to Haiti is more an act of obedience than anything else.
I didn't even have to think about it.
The opportunity was presented and it didn't take long for me to say yes.
I know God has great things in store for next week!
I could be comfortable just staying at home.
Right now Haiti is a country far away from my home.
I know some people who have been there, but it is very impersonal to me.
I don't know anyone who lives in Haiti. I can't see names or faces... yet.
I can take showers whenever I want.
Water is free and safe to drink... and I have enough money to buy other drinks than water.
So I am putting aside my comfort zone and going.
For my eyes to be open to new aspects of God, myself, and others.
For my heart to break in a new way so that God can use it.... sometimes our hearts don't NEED to heal from brokenness. We just need to act on what we know about what breaks our hearts.
Here's to a new adventure with God!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
More ways to contribute to Haiti trip
**I deleted the list because it's getting done! YEA!
I go to the Medical Specialists on Monday to get my immunization shots. The trip is coming up so quickly I can hardly believe it!
I go to the Medical Specialists on Monday to get my immunization shots. The trip is coming up so quickly I can hardly believe it!
Prayer:
- My teammates: Dan, Sam, Carl, Tyler, Carly, Krissy, Lacey, Jess, Lisa, Mike
- Final preparations: shots and last minute shopping
- Conversations with teammates
- Conversations with Haitians
- Physical health for all
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Afghanistan
A part of the Radical Challenge is to pray for the nations.
Operation World has daily emails that send you information about one country.
I started yesterday and prayed for Afghanistan. In thinking about that country, it's easy to think it's just military. While I do think of our military over there (and knowing a few guys who have been there), I also think of Hakim and Ramat. They were two guys I met in Italy. Their story is interesting and made praying for their country yesterday personal.
Pray for Afghanistan. "A country that the world has given up on, You relentlessly pursue."
God has a heart for the nations... and I love that about my God.
Operation World has daily emails that send you information about one country.
I started yesterday and prayed for Afghanistan. In thinking about that country, it's easy to think it's just military. While I do think of our military over there (and knowing a few guys who have been there), I also think of Hakim and Ramat. They were two guys I met in Italy. Their story is interesting and made praying for their country yesterday personal.
Pray for Afghanistan. "A country that the world has given up on, You relentlessly pursue."
God has a heart for the nations... and I love that about my God.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Radical
More quotes from Radical. I highly recommend it.
"We take Jesus' command in Matthew 28 to make disciples of all nations, and we say, 'That means other people.' But we look at Jesus' command in Matthew 11.28, 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,' and we say, 'Now, that means me.' We take Jesus' promise in Acts 1.8 that the Spirit will lead us to the ends of the earth, and we say, 'That means some people.' But we take Jesus' promise in John 10.10 that we will have abundant life, and we say, 'That means me.'" (73)
"To everyone wanting a safe, untroubled, comfortable life free from danger, stay away from Jesus" (165).
http://www.radicalthebook.com/
"We take Jesus' command in Matthew 28 to make disciples of all nations, and we say, 'That means other people.' But we look at Jesus' command in Matthew 11.28, 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,' and we say, 'Now, that means me.' We take Jesus' promise in Acts 1.8 that the Spirit will lead us to the ends of the earth, and we say, 'That means some people.' But we take Jesus' promise in John 10.10 that we will have abundant life, and we say, 'That means me.'" (73)
"To everyone wanting a safe, untroubled, comfortable life free from danger, stay away from Jesus" (165).
http://www.radicalthebook.com/
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
I'm going to Haiti
A couple weeks ago, I was asked a simple question. "So you're going to Haiti"? I had no idea what my friend was talking about, but I was intrigued. Our church was supposed to go to Africa this summer, but plans fell through. He must have known that missions are close to my heart and because the church I work at was sending people, he assumed I knew about this trip. I didn't know anything about it, so through a series of simple conversations with lots of questions, I am going with a group of eight other people to Callebasse, Haiti May 16-23 to help rebuild their school. We are staying at the orphanage (House of Blessings). I'm really looking forward to getting to know the team, as I don't feel like I know anyone very well at all!
It's no secret that I love reading, and I know God places books in my hands at the right moment. I started reading David Platt's Radical a couple months ago but had to put it down due to the hectic pace of life. I recently picked it back up and was rereading what I had highlighted. I was struck by the following passage:
"This is how God works. He puts his people in positions where they are desperate for his power, and then he shows his provision in ways that display his greatness" (48).
In a week and a half, I have enough money for my trip. It's amazing to me that I doubt God's provision and it's amazing how people of God are quick to respond. I am so thankful for all who pitched in to make this trip possible. God is so good, faithful, and He provides (lessons I learn over and over).
I will use this blog to update people on my journey to Haiti.
If you still want to help out financially, our team is trying to raise money for the actual building project.
http://www.crowdrise.com/LetsHelpHaiti/fundraiser/jennibutton
They accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. There is also a processing fee, but you can change that to $0 if you would like by clicking it. All these donations are tax-deductible. Thanks!
It's no secret that I love reading, and I know God places books in my hands at the right moment. I started reading David Platt's Radical a couple months ago but had to put it down due to the hectic pace of life. I recently picked it back up and was rereading what I had highlighted. I was struck by the following passage:
"This is how God works. He puts his people in positions where they are desperate for his power, and then he shows his provision in ways that display his greatness" (48).
In a week and a half, I have enough money for my trip. It's amazing to me that I doubt God's provision and it's amazing how people of God are quick to respond. I am so thankful for all who pitched in to make this trip possible. God is so good, faithful, and He provides (lessons I learn over and over).
I will use this blog to update people on my journey to Haiti.
If you still want to help out financially, our team is trying to raise money for the actual building project.
http://www.crowdrise.com/LetsHelpHaiti/fundraiser/jennibutton
They accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. There is also a processing fee, but you can change that to $0 if you would like by clicking it. All these donations are tax-deductible. Thanks!
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