giving thanks. day 4. november 4.

photo by: me | designed for life 2010

Day 4 | my church

I know that there are many great churches. But, I'm so thankful to be a part of James River Assembly... a church that is active, growing, changing, where the truth is preached, and lost people are being brought to Jesus. People are being raised up to share Jesus around the world... and there is active involvement in international missions projects and opportunities. I'm currently involved in the worship department and youth department. God is doing great things. I'm so thankful to be a part of it. It's exciting to live for Jesus. :)

stop. play. fast forward. rewind. pause.

This post might be kind of vague... but, maybe that's how life seems sometimes. Today has been a little strange... and I feel like a blog post is in order. Life is busy to be sure... but, the question is... the right kind of busy? Are you pursuing things of purpose and eternal significance? Do you make time to invest in people? Do you have time to dream and process life? Are you doing what you are passionate about? Is there margin in your life for rest? I think that sometimes we find ourselves at a self-imposed "stand-still"... oh, yes... we may be "busy" in the hustle and bustle of life... but, that doesn't mean we are being purposeful and fulfilling God's call on our lives. Or, maybe we forget that we have the ability to make choices and to extravagantly trust God. Life does not have to be the same forever... with God, the possibilities are endless. But, sometimes we might limit God's "doing a new thing" in our lives... because we simply forget that there is and could be more. (or different) I also believe that many times we allow ourselves to be limited by the lives of those most dear to us. And, tonight, I feel God stirring something new in my heart... change may be in order. Every life has a different story with different passions to go different places and to impact different people. This is nothing to be afraid of... but rather something to embrace. We have one life to live... are you living it?

I went to the salvation army thrift store yesterday and overheard this guy's story... he was in his mid-20's and a volunteer was helping him pick out things he would need to start a life on his own... off the streets...dress clothes, shoes, coat, luggage...he couldn't believe he could pick out anything in the store that he needed... my heart was so happy for him... God reminded me that one person truly matters... this guy's life was changed... little things can make a huge difference. ♥ .

retreat 2010.

If you ever need God to rock your world... sign up to be a high school life group leader... better yet... get signed up by someone else. :) This semester has been one of the most significant times of growth I have ever experienced. When there are people in your life looking up to you and depending on you... it changes you. I suppose it is a similar feeling of responsibility to having a spouse or children. It's basically a process of getting over yourself so that someone else's life can be better. God has really challenged me with the reality that I only have a window of opportunity with some of these students... maybe a matter of weeks for the graduating seniors. I have to be intentional. Although there have been great obstacles and challenges, sitting on the floor in the basement of our host home listening to student after student telling about how God is changing their life... makes it worth every minute of prayer, sweat, and hard work. Yes... retreat was tons of fun... getting all decked out in pink, getting hit in the head four times in a row in one game of dodgeball, running through the mud to the finish line, crazy cheers, losing your voice, wild bus rides, late nights... love it all... but, it's so cool how God can use all of that to tear down walls, build relationships, and get students' attentions.

Sometimes the change is a journey of breakthrough after breakthrough... sometimes it's immediate. Students are now wanting to come to church... taking notes... asking deep questions... passionately praying for their unsaved family... being bold about their faith... breaking free from the chains that have bound them. And it's just the beginning?! :) Wow. Can't believe I get to be part of this.

a dream is a wish your heart makes...

and sometimes they are from God... and He sends seemingly 'strange' reminders at 'strange' times to remind us that He has not forgotten. And, sometimes it's difficult to verbalize these things at the risk of being vulnerable or fear of the realities. I saw the movie 'The Blind Side' with my family on Christmas Day... great movie! I really didn't expect it to impact me like it did. I sat there the entire movie... bawling... a broken heart for the inner city teens in the movie. It was the same emotions I felt on two of my occasions of leaving Mexico on a plane... with a broken heart for the people... tears running down my face. I felt in my heart that someday God will take me back there... with my love for Spanish and the people. I don't know why I feel this way and God has placed these emotions in my heart.... but He has... I want the lost everywhere to know His saving power... and to see the course of lives changed. About 2 years ago, God placed the idea in my heart of going into inner cities and partnering with Christian organizations to take senior photos for graduating students... I have no idea what this would look like... maybe an incentive for good grades or attendance... or simply graduating... maybe partnering with a store or company that would provide a new professional outfit to the student for their pictures and interviews... all to create a platform to share Jesus and provide the student with a view of life and themselves beyond their present circumstances. I believe God will continue to orchestrate connections with the right people and give me creativity and ideas to carry out this dream of His. [It's amazing how God creates us a certain way as individuals so that we will have favor with the specific people we may need in our lives to carry out His purpose.] Back to the movie... I want to be that person who is sensitive to the needs and cries of others... who sees beyond the comforts of present life... and invests everything to better the lives of others, point them to Jesus, and ultimately change the course of their lives. I believe for that. I definitely want to give birth to children someday... but, I also want to claim lost and forgotten babies, children, or teens as my own... I believe that's what Jesus would do... I know that's what He has done for me... claimed me as His own. I don't know how all of these things will unfold... I just know He's stirring something deep in my heart... and I'm listening.

SUMMER.

Summer is such an interesting season... such a growing and transitioning time.  It's a time when some people come and some people go... time to take a deep breath and do some evaluating.  I don't think I've ever really noticed it like this before.  It's sure a good thing that God does not change.  I love this place in life... knowing I'm right where God wants me but also sensing the possibilities ahead.  I'm being reminded of passions and dreams God placed in my heart long ago... I'm desiring to spend time with Him and know Him more deeply.  I'm being reminded that regardless of any accomplishments we may obtain, life is about loving God and people.  I love my sister and family so much... a lot of the time, I feel quite content to just spend time with them... whether that's good or bad.  I am blessed.  Change is inevitable.  It will be coming.  I don't want to walk anywhere God has not first been... so, I'm holding on to Him.  I'm going to enjoy the remaining days of warm sun, hammocks, iced green tea, sundresses, fireflies, friends, and family.  I know this moment won't last forever, so I will treasure it.  God is so incredibly good.

I LOVE AMERICA.

I Love America was awesome once again this year... 121 decisions for Christ... approx. 120,000 people in attendance.  God really helped us with every aspect, including the weather.  The testimonies are incredible.  Check out the stories and photos here.  The concerts after the fireworks were awesome as well!  Leeland then Israel Houghton.  It was so fun to hang out with friends... and so exciting that lives were changed for eternity!

WEDDING.

Hona and I made the flight to Houston, Texas for our friend Heather's wedding.  I was taking photos the whole time... it was lovely.  Only setback: outdoor wedding, 110 degrees, fire ants.

It was a time to remember. :)  Praying for Kevin and Heather and their new life together.

check out a few of their photos here.

CAMP.

I have been so very busy this summer... it all started out with the 10.12 youth camp.  It was an awesome time for students to grow in God.  It's surprising to most... but I LOVE CAMP. :)  late nights. messy games. hosed down with water. face paint. screaming team cheers. services. getting to know students and leaders. hearing from God. I don't like that it has to end. :)  It's physically exhausting but spiritually refreshing.  The leader's retreat will be fun this fall.

consider the flowers.

Today was one of those days where I have wondered if life will ever make sense on this side of Heaven... most likely it won't... but I would like to hope so.  God is so obviously working in my life.  He has given me so much favor with my photography business... even new developments today.  He is continually placing passions and dreams in my heart.  I know without a doubt that I am right where God wants me... but that doesn't mean I will be staying in this same state of living for long.  God is always requiring us to grow, improve, change... and that little bit of fear starts to creep in when I forget how small I am and how big God is.  I love the feeling of living life on the edge of my seat... where things are unpredictable and God is the only way.  I've been a little emotional this evening... I think I have lost sight of this... and the fact that the only way life makes any sense at all is in Jesus... oh, how I need Him and desire Him.  I love these poppies... standing so tall, bright, and vibrant... a moment of inspiration.