50,000 in 50 Days

Okay people, here's the challenge. Find $5.00 extra in your Christmas spending and go to this website: http://www.50000shoes.com/ and donate to buy two pairs of shoes. The goal is to raise 50,000 pairs of shoes in 50 days. It is sponsored by an agency called Soles 4 Souls that is a charity born out of the Katrina disaster and now serves the poor worldwide with shoe donations. This seems like a really cool way to impact the world for less than the price of a meal out.

Random Coolness

We had staff meeting on Tuesday and David got to share about his time in India. He actually had the opportunity to go into a small village and share the Gospel for the first time. Seriously, the VERY FIRST time the Gospel has ever been shared with these people. Think about that. Let it soak over you. We here in the US, especially in the South, are so spoiled when it comes to the Gospel. We can't grow up without being exposed to some form of the Gospel (sometimes whether we wanted to hear it or not). Can you imagine never having heard? And now they have because our pastor believes in the awesome power of the Gospel and is willing to go to the hard places. I have to think the angels had a major party that day.

Another little tidbit of coolness...find the song "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath. It is worth the listen. Heard it on klove.com today and can't wait to get home and get it downloaded.

Another stolen item

This was stolen off another blog but I think it so fits the season...

A Stressed Out Christian's Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Help me remember that the jerk who cut me off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry, and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help me to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for the next school year.

Remind me, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help me to remember, Father, that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they can go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind me each day that, of all the gifts You give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open my heart, dear Lord, not to just those who are close to me, but to all humanity. Let me be slow to judge, and quick to forgive, show patience, and empathy, and love.

Amen.

Randomness

I stole this from a blog I read regularly. I just thought it was cool. Bolded things are things I've done

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (so low no one could hear maybe)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (I'm counting Compassion here)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon (Seriously??)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (Both actually)
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa (July is coming)
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the EiffelTower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving (Are you kidding me?)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Thanksgiving

I had a most wonderful Thanksgiving with my family. I have been blessed beyond measure to have a family I love dearly and enjoy spending time with. We have a good time together and Thanksgiving was no exception. My mom and I got to spend quality time visiting over coffee and reading or coffee and football games. I love sharing what God is teaching me with her because she can challenge me to continue to grow and learn and share in ways no one else can. I truly hope God blesses me with a daughter so I can be half the mom my mom is.

My dad and I got to have date night too. It was special for both of us because we hadn't seen each other for more than 16 hours since June. He and I went shopping on Friday and then to dinner and Bass Pro Shop. Who knew Bass Pro could be so fun!? In all seriousness, I love my daddy and really enjoy getting to spend time with him. We've grown from spending time in my grandfather's woodshop making all kinds of fun stuff to throwing a softball for hours on end to being in a place where we just visit without any "thing" getting in the way.

I also got to spend Thanksgiving night with my sister in her new apartment. I helped her decorate her new tree (very cool, pre-lit tree!) and put out her nativities. She has a great apartment that I'm jealous of. She's also decorating it so cool as she finds neat pieces. She has the coolest Eiffel Tower that she found at Target of all places. She also managed to score a new KitchenAid mixer at Wal-Mart the day after Thanksgiving. She got up, went to Wally-World, grabbed the last of the nine mixers they had, picked me up some rubbermaid and then headed to the check-out. She was home again by 5:16! Talk about efficiency. :-)

All in all, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and just had to brag. I know some people dread the holidays and I truly feel sorry for them. I honestly cannot relate and for that, I'm thankful.

I'm off to work tomorrow and then will finish shopping for the cutie in AZ that I "adopted" for Christmas. I only wish I could be there to see everyone open their gifts. I hope JT and Sheryl take LOTS of pictures.

Global Missions Health Conference

Got back from Louisville on Saturday night after spending 2+ days immersed in a conference full of public health professionals who think like I do. What a concept and a blessing! I have been very discouraged lately because most of the professional organizations I have belonged to in the past have had a very, very liberal view of the world and were very humanistic in their approach to problem-solving. Well, God provided a wonderful opportunity for me to go on this trip and I learned so much about medical missions but also about the wonderful professional organizations that are out there for Christian healthcare professional who desire to serve God and the world. Woo-Hoo!!

I do come back with several prayer requests. First and foremost, I will be co-leading a trip to South Africa in July. Yes, for those of you keeping track, that does mean a 22 hour plane ride. Am I nuts? No, I'm obedient. God is calling me to lead this team for some reason I can't really fathom. But, I'm doing it so I'm trusting He will provide both financially and in the unexplainable peace He promises. For those of you who are prayer warriors, maybe we should start praying for the flight now. :-)

The second request is job related. I came across a wonderful organization (Global Refuge International) that has jobs available. They are a Christian non-governmental organization dedicated to stopping human trafficking and violence against women and international disaster relief. They have US-based jobs open and the hiring woman was at this conference and we had a long talk. I am e-mailing her this week to see about more details. I would appreciate prayers for discernment as to what God would have me do. I still have a heart for AZ but I'm not sure a job would make itself available. I will end up where God wants me but I need wisdom to figure out where that is.

All in all, it was a great weekend conference and if anyone wants more details, just ask. All I ask is that you don't complain about anything in front of me. After being surrounded by medical missionaries who are on the front lines in some of the worst places in the world, our problems are so tiny I get frustrated hearing complaints. Just fair warning if I get snippy with you. :-)

Praise the Lord, It's OVER!!!!!

Finally, after almost 2 years of bickering, pandering, lying, baby-kissing, empty promises and more, it's over. We have a president and history was made. Woo-pee! Can you tell I'm slightly underwhelmed by the selection? The solace tonight other than the fact that God is sovereign and knew this outcome long before we were formed is that the Dems did not get a fillibuster proof Senate. Thank the Lord for small favors.

One thing I caution everyone to remember is that there are still people who need to hear the name of Jesus, need help getting out of poverty, need help learning to read, need help finding love and acceptance and that's what we as Christians are called to do. Had McCain won tonight, our mandate as Christians would still be the same: go until He comes, give till we drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops us by returning for His bride. That matters way more than the outcome of an earthly election.

Voting

Even though I am sick as a dog, I went out and exercised my right and privilege to vote. The lines weren't that long at my precinct. Remember, if you don't vote, don't let me hear you complain about who was or wasn't elected. There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for not voting. Too many people have died for our right to vote. As of this writing, there are still 6 hours and 52 minutes left in AL to vote. Just do it.

Arizona Thoughts

Sorry it's taken me so long to update, I'm still trying to process all that God did and showed on this trip.

First and foremost, this trip was about relationships for me. I didn't hammer a nail or paint a stroke. What I did do was sit and listen, wipe runny noses, hug little children, glue puffy dots on paper and smile at people who couldn't understand a word I was saying.

I think this trip for me emphasized more than any other that God cares about people way more than projects or programs. The TO nation is made up of some wonderful people who need Jesus more than any indoor toilet, five-room house or working pencil. They need someone to listen to their heartache, love them for who they are and share Jesus with them.

I'd like to share about the people. Of course, First Papago wouldn't function as it does without Jay Juan, their local pastor. This is a man who loves the Lord and loves the TO people. He firmly believes spiritual renewal in the Native American population is going to come through the work of the people in his little faith family. Then there's Julie. This woman is simply amazing. When she hears of a need, she doesn't call someone else for help, she gets a prayer team up (sometimes it's just her) and she goes and prays over and with people. She is a spiritual warrior. Cheryl is much the same way. She knows the problems of her people and spends much time in prayer beseeching the Father on their behalf. If only my prayer life was as faithful! Then there's Yolanda. She greeted me on Sunday with the words "what a great surprise! I didn't know you were coming!" Talk about making me feel welcome and wanted. I love this lady. She has such a heart for the children of the nation and will drive an hour on Sundays to bring Sunday School lessons to kids in a village with no indoor plumbing.

Then there are all the other people we spent time ministering to: Frank, Angelita, Martina, Rosita, Del Raya, Alia, Micah, Shorty, Andrew, Pete, Agnes, Mabel, Josephine Y., Josephine M., Priscilla, Elliot, Miah, Mike, Tim and many more. This is why I go and where my passion is.

There are also some special people that my heart hurts for and why my passion is so strong for this area. One such lady is Josie. Josie is a believer but has struggled lately with alcohol abuse. Right now, she has 15 people living in her house. And we're talking 1000 square feet people. Josie also has baby Felicia who rocks my world. If she's around, she's usually in my arms. Anyone who knows me isn't at all surprised. :-) Be in prayer for Josie. She knows the right way but addiction is hard. Pray God works in her life in miraculous ways. K, Nessa and Kayla are another family. K is the leader of the Bloods on the reservation and is struggling to turn his life around. He's so close to taking the final step to trust in Christ as his Lord and Savior. And let me tell you, once he takes that step, watch out! God will use him as a force to be reckoned with on that reservation. Nessa is his girlfriend and Kayla is their adorable 7 month old baby girl. Pray for this sweet family. Pray a hedge of protection around K that his gang activity won't take his life or his freedom.

I hope in this post you can see my heart. This is a group of people that I could talk for ages about. I LOVE these people. I would move tomorrow if I could. In fact, I'm looking at job opportunities out there right now. Jay Juan and First Papago need people to help walk alongside them and spread the love of Jesus to the TO Nation. Who better than me?

P.S. Pictures will come when I'm on my home computer. :-)

Funny picture...

Okay, I understand being a fan and all but shouldn't you be able to spell the cheer correctly??? I took this picture myself last night on the way home from the library. The guy had plenty of room to put an "e" on the end. Who knows, maybe he ran out of tape...

Home From Arizona

I'm home from Arizona, albeit somewhat reluctantly. I have way too much to say in one post so I won't even get started tonight. I do want to say thank you to all those who prayed for the trip. You will never know how much those prayers mean to me and to those who are still working on the ground in AZ. I will have lots of pictures and stories to share once I feel up to it. For those who don't know, I brought a respiratory virus home with me as a souvenier. The baby girl I developed a special bond with last October was sick and I still couldn't resist snuggling with her. Oh well, I'll live and she'll remember the love I gave. Can't beat that. But, after working all day, I come home too tired to put too many coherent sentences together. :-) I promise I will post more when my brain is working on all cylinders.

Praises!!

Two wonderful praises to report on this rainy Wednesday. Yesterday my best friend delivered a healthy baby boy. Alex is just precious and a very cute baby. Then this morning, I got news that a family friend who's been in Iraq for 14 months is home early. Needless to say, I'm pretty psyched this morning!

Changes to the Blog and other random thoughts...

Thanks to my friend Nadia, I found a great site (thecutestblogontheblock.com) that has great backgrounds. I can finally change with the seasons!! Thanks Nadia!! It probably has lots of other benefits that I haven't found yet but I'm still new to this blogging thing. :-)

I will probably continue to blog with my usual randomness. I like the stream of consciousness writing that blogging allows. I can also vent thoughts and frustrations. Sometimes that's the downside to being single and living alone. The cat doesn't talk back and can't affirm my weird thoughts. So, I post them in cyberspace for my readers to comment on.

On that note, is anybody else as peeved with Congress and the president as I am? I KNEW they couldn't follow through with their earlier vote. The cowards. Whatever happened to statesmen? Do they suck out your brains after you've traveled the underground tram so many times??

I think I'm not voting for a single incumbent this year. I know God is sovereign over the upcoming election and I'm not worried about finances, I'm just mad as hell that my elected representatives have heard what we've said as Americans and completely DISREGRARDED it. What nerve! On some scale, this must be what the colonists felt like when they revolted. Too bad most voters in our country are more concerned with American Idol and Entertainment Tonight than they are with starting a new revolution.

Radical, Part 2

We had a wonderful time in small group last night. I was teaching but that's not what made it wonderful. I had been really troubled the last couple of weeks with our discussions of the Radical series. We were getting caught up in who's more radical than I am, what can I give up, etc. and I was afraid people were going to get so discouraged they would give up. So, we took a giant step back last night and I thought it was wonderful the way the Holy Spirit led us in discussion and brought up around to the idea that being Radical is all about being more like Christ. It's not about what you give up, what you do or who you do or don't impress, it's about dying to self and being more like Christ. That alone will lead us to re-evaluate our "stuff."

That all being said, I'm working through what that looks like in my own life. I don't have lots of stuff. I don't think He's calling me to sell my TV but I do think He's calling me to re-evaluate how I use my stuff. I've been convicted about a certain show that I watch that I will no longer be watching. Grey's Anatomy is one of the worst shows on network TV when it comes to Christian values. I'd been thinking that for a while but last week's presentation of an openly gay relationship was the tipping point for me. So, it's out of my DVR line-up. That frees up an additional 42 minutes per week and I'm praying that I don't find some other mindless drivel to fill those 42 minutes.

One prayer request for my faithful readers...I need a no-cost extension on my grant project to allow us to use the money awarded past the end of the grant period. It should be fairly straight-forward but the "deadline" for applying for this with CDC was April 1, 2008. Um, hello? How was I supposed to know in APRIL that in September the money wouldn't all be spent? Typical government! :-) I do have an e-mail in to the program officer to see if this can be resolved. I know God is bigger than government beaucracies and I need Him to show it. Thanks for the prayers!!

Radical

I think I may be weird. For many, this Radical series David has been preaching is really tough. For me, not so much. While seriously convicting, it is also helping to confirm that God has something really big planned for me in the near future. I make no claims that I know what that is but I feel a real Holy Spirit prompting. I think it probably relates to Arizona but God could have something totally different in mind.

David's sermon tonight really hit home on this front because he talked about God's commission often doesn't make sense, people will hate you, think you're nuts, etc. That is straight from Matthew 10 for those keeping score. What's really weird is that when I think about AZ, it doesn't make sense and some people in my life would think I'm nuts. By the world's standards, giving up "everything" and moving to the desert would be radical. Too bad the world doesn't understand calling or obedience to God's command. I say it doesn't make sense because I like big cities, winter, contemporary worship styles, need I go on? AZ offers NONE of that. What it does offer is a real opportunity to make a Kingdom difference on a daily basis. That should be enough for me to pack my bags and move tomorrow. Unfortunately, God hasn't said "go" permanently yet. I feel it's coming (you've been warned) and I have to be patient to pray through this and listen for God's voice as opposed to my voice wanting it to be God's.

If I can ask one thing through this seemingly wandering post, it's this: pray for me. Pray that I will have the patience to listen for God and no one else. Pray that I will be patient for God's provision if AZ isn't His plan. Pray that I will be willing to be a whenever, wherever, however, whoever follower of Christ.

Thanks in advance for the prayers!!

Perfect Lazy Day

Today has been a perfect Saturday. Slept late, tidied the apartment and then have watched football and read all day. Got some meat cooked for the week and just chilled.

After the craziness of this week getting ready for our luncheon tomorrow, I needed a day like today. I am so thankful for all the volunteers God uses to make the Assmilation Ministry run like clockwork but planning for this luncheon has been nuts. Getting the RSVPs, food ordered, centerpieces made, packets made, etc. made for a LONG week. It should be a nice time tomorrow and I know the volunteers who show up will be blessed.

This coming week will be hectic too. We have Starting Point this coming weekend and I'm off on Friday so everything has to be done earlier in the week. Oh well, we did August's preparation in three days so four days is a bonus. :-) I am looking forward to the weekend. Mom and Sarah got tickets for a women of faith event in ATL. It's a chance to spend time with them and hear wonderful Christian speakers and musicians. And it's free for me. That's even nicer. :-) I look forward to the rejuvination the weekend will provide.

OK, UGA seems to be having trouble so I'm off to see what the commentators are fussing about. More next time...

"The Shack"

I finished "The Shack" last night. I don't want to ruin the plot for any of my readers (all five of you) who haven't read it but suffice to say, it's a good book when read in the proper perspective. I read LOTS of comments on it last night from people who loved it and people who hated it. Most of the haters disliked it because of the incorrect theology throughout the book. What I found interesting is some of what they claim as "incorrect theology" is only their interpretation of theology.

Now, I do have to point out that there will be times when you read this book that you will go "hmm, not sure I'm with you there." That's actually a good thing. We as Christians all too often insulate ourselves from things that might cause us to look at our own faith. But, if you don't have to work at it, is it really faith? I know I'm constantly questioning why God is working on something particular in my life. I've never had an experience like what is described in this book but I am 100%certain that my God is big enough and sovereign enough to pull off the encounter described if He saw fit.

In short, this book is recommended with caveats. Remember it is fiction, remember it's an allegory and remember, it's ONE man's opinion. I would also caution that if you are a new believer, read it along with a strong, growing believer so if you have questions, you can ask them of someone who either knows the answer or is willing to search for the Truth with you.

Ramblings

Decided this post will be full of randomness. I'm really too tired to do much else but always seem to feel better after blogging...

Went to the Greek Festival tonight with my best friend. We hadn't seen each other to really visit in weeks and she has a baby coming so we took time tonight. Man, it was crowded but oh so yummy! I love that people who would never, ever support a church come out in droves to support the Greek Orthodox Church during the Greek Festival. Think God gets a chuckle out of that?

Then after visiting with Wen, I went to get gas. Well, I tried to get gas. The first station I stopped at had NO GAS. Really!? Seriously people, the refineries probably won't be damaged but the sheeple in this country panic at anything and put a run on gas. I actually NEEDED gas and ended up paying $4.32 for mid-grade because the cheap stuff was out. So glad my errands tomorrow are within 5 miles of home and work is less than a mile from home. Almost wish I didn't have to guest lecture downtown on Monday. ARGH! Stupid people.

Ever have weeks where you are just tired? I think God knew I didn't need to have John come to town this weekend, that I needed a "down" weekend. I'm looking forward to sleeping in, working on my small group lesson, running a few errands and then settling in with my friend Nicki for spaghetti and a movie. I love my simple life. I am tired from work, tired from school, just tired. Haven't been sleeping really well and that's affected by tiredness. I'm hoping it's a side effect of a med I'm on that will eventually go away. Maybe AZ will cure it. I'm usually so bone tired out there that I could sleep through the start of WWIII. :-)

Okay, enough rambling. I'm going to watch this week's Bones episode then crawl into my bed. One last thought...if you haven't read "The Shack," I seriously recommend it. Remember it's an allegory and you'll be fine. Read it literally and you'll be offended.

How GREAT is our God!!

Just had to share with my five or so readers. We serve an amazing God! Sunday night, I ended up having to serve at one of our desks (again) and had to miss the service. Now I can hear David's sermon in the lobby but I miss the music. So I was somewhat bummed. But, as God usually does, He had something better in mind. I was having a random conversation with a fellow servant and she was asking about my upcoming AZ trip. She said "you know, I have some money in my global account with Brook Hills for a trip I was planning and since getting pregnant and having the baby, I don't think I'll use it. You can have it." To say the least, I was FLOORED. Once I composed myself, I told her I didn't have the words to express my appreciation. Her generous gift will completely finance the rest of my trip!! The office has already done their part and the check should be to 1Way by the end of the week.

Then, to add to the excitement, last night my mom told me she had been saving money for missions this year and was getting ready to send a separate check to 1Way. It's about the same amount my original deposit check was for. So in other words, my trip (the one that was totally unplanned) has been fully covered financially. Hallelujiah!!! There are not words to say the way my heart is swelling to share God's generous gifting on this trip. Who knew He could top the anonymous donation of my May trip? :-)

Okay, enough of my sharing, I have to get back to work. I'll be back later to update on teaching 7th grade girls.

Life Update

Not that my life is all that interesting but just in case anyone in the blogosphere cares...

I'm headed to AZ again in a little over a month and still need $600 for my trip. I know we serve an awesome God and I'm having to trust BIG-TIME to see this money come through. I did get approval today to use three days of "mission trip" time so I don't have to burn all my vacation and have to take unpaid time at Christmas. That is a huge answer to prayer and proves again that God provides for the little things just like the big things.

In other news, I start teaching 7th grade girls on Sunday. I'll be team teaching with a wonderful woman but this Sunday I'm on my own because she's out of town. EEK, what was I thinking?! :-) In all seriousness, this is a different step for me based out of some serious prayer and a response to a question David posed to us on Staff Retreat. In short, I wasn't being as effective teaching adults as I can be investing in the lives of teenage girls. I feel this is where God is prompting me so I know He'll provide the strength but I'm still a bit nervous. I did get great advice from my friend Nicki tonight so I don't feel as overwhelmed. She's been teaching this age for over a year so she is the veteran in this. It's nice to have friends who are willing to share their wisdom.

I guess that's all or at least all of an update I have for now. I'm off to find something more interesting to do...