Made from dust.

It is very rare for me to travel anywhere in my car without the radio set to one of my iPod playlist in accordance with my current mood. However, after 7+ hours in the county office, listening to non stop complaints about the school system, the economy, and well, just life, I'm typically not in the mood for a bumpin' ride home. And folks, I'm talking about music, not the knee deep unavoidable potholes that grace our lovely North Road.

A lot of days during my work week, Monday-Wednesday, I tune in to one of my podcast. Recently I've been stuck on David Platt, who I have heard several times at Secret Church.
Ladies, if you aren't familiar with him, seriously look him up. Someone on Pinterest posted something very wise, "David Platt. Not someone you read if you want your life to stay the way it is." That's truth.
He is the definition of radical.

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A couple of days ago, I turned on one of David's most recent sermons at the church at Brook Hills. It was about the urgency to share Christ, and sacrifice all for His glory.

The Urgency of Eternity

The title of this particular podcast caught my eye immediately because of it's title. Urgency. It seems that has been a reoccurring word in my life for the past few months, as I went back and forth with whether or not God sought to send me to the Philippines this summer solely for evangelism, or whether He was guiding me to serve at an orphanage. The answers were so unclear to me, as I begin to blur what God wanted vs what I wanted.

Until God spoke loud in clear.
 . The urgency to share Christ is imperative as our world continues to deter from Him.
The importance of reaching the lost before time exist no more, is becoming more real everyday.
Their is a great need to forsake all for the gospel.

The end is near.
Why are we being still?

Where I live, in the rural parts of Mississippi, you flash your lights at oncoming traffic if there is a wreck or a roadblock in their future. You just do it. Why?
Because you want them to beware.
You warn them that there's danger ahead, whether it be an accident or a potential traffic violation.
You warn them.

Why is it we can manage to warn people to slow down before encountering law enforcement, yet we can't manage to warn them that they are headed for a blazing hot, eternal hell if they don't redirect their lives?

I don't know how to witness.
I don't know enough about the Bible.

Excuses. God doesn't accept them.

My favorite thing that David said in The Urgency of Eternity, is this simple truth...

we are dust.

God doesn't look down at His creation, His children, and say, "Wow. Look at that dust. It's capability of sharing my story is almost incomprehensible." 

Instead, God looks at His children, those who are at least making an attempt to share His story, and He says, "That dust. It's faulty and it's sinful. But, I, I am perfect, and I will take that seed that precious child just planted, and I will water it, and it will grow."

Friends, that's God.
He is bigger than our fears.
our failures.
our sinfulness.
and even our pride.

As a dear brother in Christ once said, "Friends don't let friends go to hell."

Go tell 'em Jesus loves 'em!

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Why do you go?

Why do you go? 

Why the Philippines?

Why don't you spend your money on other things?

Don't you know there's plenty of work for you to do locally?

Shouldn't you focus on school and save missions for later? 

Those are just a few of the questions that have been quite frequently asked of me lately. I would be lying to say it hasn't been frustrating to me. People who act s if they whole heartily support me in life, then shockingly don't understand my heart. 

God's heart. 

Why can't we grasp the urgency to share Christ?

How have we gotten so far away from the purpose of this God given life that we put mission work on the back burner  and seek after worldly pleasures instead?

Recently, I was asked to put into words the why behind why I regularly make the trek to the Philippines. 

I wanted to share with you all a small excerpt from that, and encourage you to continue whatever work God has called you to. Don't let the naysayers discourage you.

"I go because I see lost souls. I see a hunger deep within the eyes of starving children, broken mothers, and feeble elderly. I see people who have never even heard Jesus’ name spoken. I’m driven to reach them with the Gospel of Christ before there is no more time. I feel compelled to go, to forsake the comforts of America, and to risk it all so that they may know Him. If I don’t go, who will? My heart aches to be there, to love on children, and to continually share hope with them. Hope that this third world country has never heard of. To win the lost souls….that’s why I go."

"In me, you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but TAKE HEART; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

P.S.

I finally created a Bloglovin' account. You should probably go follow me ;)

let's catch up

hi lovelies..

just wanted to pop in, and let you all know i am still alive! life has been sort of hectic lately, and to be quite honest, i have been so caught up in life, i haven't had time to blog.

no apologies. 

i'm enjoying life in the present.

for the most part. ha.

i could probably do without work and school, but hey...that's part of life too!

school has started back in full swing. 

i have a full semester of classes, but not extremely difficult ones. 

that will come next semester. sigh.

speaking of which, i have some exciting news coming soon about fall 2013!

recently i have found myself deep deep down in things i have to accomplish before putting my head on the pillow at night.

as i glanced down at my planner just yesterday morning, a small part of me felt very overwhelmed.

i reminded myself that i'm only one person, and can only do so much.

but in that moment, Father whispered a sweet reminder to me.

yes, i am only one person, but i have a mighty God who holds the whole world in His hands.

HE is the Creator of time.

HE is the one holding the brush that paints my life's canvas.

so, why am i so concerned with all that my planner reminds me i have to do?

i often catch myself dreaming of how wonderful life would be if God would just slow everything down, or maybe even add a couple more hours to the day.

however, i'm then reminded  it isn't God who causes such chaos, and such time crunched calendar's. 

it's me.

and there is something i can do about it.

start saying no.

do you ever feel like that? 

totally overwhelmed by schedules and lists?

are you like me and keep adding more things for you to have to get done just because you can't tell people no?

OH YEAHH!!!

**exciting news coming soon about Rosemary's Home of Hope**

here's a glimpse of what's been going on lately down in Mississippi--

life is so much better when buttercups are blooming.
by far my favorite flower!

got to play with this sweet angel at a dnow i worked last weekend.
she's a doll!

first NBA game!
we went to see the Grizzlies

John Nix
camp pastor for Toby Mac's youth camp.
he was the speaker at dnow.
(i look drugged or something in this picture. probably due to 1) absolutely no sleep. seems to be what happens when you spend the weekend with a bunch of junior high/high school girls *i'm getting old 2) way too much mountain dew to make up for the lack of sleep...)

savannah: one of the sweet girls in my girls group at dnow

sophie claire-- pink car, pink shades, and chevron pants.
what more could a girl ask for?!

.

It's okay to ask why.

Last week brought with it a roller coaster of emotions. As a nation, we experienced the great loss of many innocent children and heroic teachers. As a church family, we experienced and are still experiencing the possible nearing of a homecoming of one of our oldest, most precious members.

Through those things, as well as the inconveniences of life that are on a much smaller scale, I am reminded of how sweet it is to be loved by Him. To not make sense of any of it, but to have Him to cry to, brings peace within.

An emotinoal week it was...probably partly due to the lack of sleep and jet lag, but nonetheless it was emotional. Sunday morning we took time to pray for the families affected in Newtown, as well as reflect in God's Word with hopes of finding a small ounce of peace. There were some sad tears shed. Sunday afternoon, my family spent the evening with my grandfather as we celebrated his 90 years of life. He opened his gifts, enjoyed his cake, and handed out sweet hugs. I made it pretty good until he began telling each of us how loved we were by him, and how we had made this the happiest day of his life. Then, the tears came. Tears of joy because of the precious time God has given me with him, yet tears of sadness with the reality of how short our remaining time together could be.  Last night we enjoyed our Christmas dinner at church. After eating way too much potluck, some friends and I sat around and laughed until our full tummies hurt. There might have been some tears shed, but only due to the excessive laughing that went on in that little Sunday school room. It was the perfect way to end the day. Well, that and the Bachelorette wedding :) ahhhh....

happy birthday, pa!

 I found myself on many occasions last week just sitting and pondering the thought of why.

why must there be such heartbreak in our world.

why must there be death.

why must there be such unexplainable tragedies.

While working in the Philippines last week I often had the same thought running through my heard as I do each time I visit...why would someone throw away such beauty. such gifts.

3 of the 11 children at Rosemary's
(l-r: Raphie, Clyde, Vicson)

This weekend i wondered why someone would point a gun at such innocence.

Throughout life there will be countless things we do not understand. Unfortunately, we may never have an understanding,  but i think it is okay to question it. to ask God why.

Often times people say it is sinful to ask the almighty, but i think it brings healing and peace to the wondering, confused, and hurt heart. Should we question God with fists raised and an angry tone? absolutely not. But to seek His wisdom, His will....He understands. One of the most comforting things to me is the sweet reminder that while Jesus is the son of God, He was also man just like us. Therefore, He experienced much of the same hurt that we do.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11: 28-30
                                                   
Obviously, I will never know all of the answers. The questions that often confuse this heart, will remain unanswered until I meet with the giver of life himself. and then, when I stand before my makers face, the questions that have brought confusion to me on earth, will matter no more. That's what we have to hold on to. This life, this earth..it's not our home. Sometimes it takes pain to be reminded of the joy that we will someday have when we dance with Jesus, and all hurt is gone.

Today, let's slow down our hectic lives and enjoy the many gifts God has given us. We have so much. Let us not wallow in the sadness so long that we forget to be joyful for the many blessings of life.

For He is good.

All the time.

my favorite view.

it's friday, december 14. i haven't had good sleep since sunday, december 2.
i'm pretty tired to say the least.
we arrived home from the islands of the Philippines this past tuesday night.

the trip was more than i ever could have imagined.
i have never seen such gratitude from so many people over so little.
often times in America, people grumble over how little they receieve at Christmas time.
but in the Philippines, they can't believe they are getting anything at all.
you wouldn't believe the gratitude.

this 90 year old man walked over a mile to be with us.
i had the opportunity of talking to him on several occasions during my trip.
on this particular day, i asked him for a picture. in return he asked me for a kiss.
he smiled so big when i told him i would call him my Filipino Lolo. i felt so blessed.
*Lolo=grandfather.

i witnessed something very special on this trip.
the palm trees, the ocean, and the mountains are very beautiful, but it isn't their beauty that astonishes me on my visits to the islands.

on sunday, the 9th, we had family day.
we took the children to a nearby swimming pool and to eat at Jollibee's (Filipino McDonald's).
I opted out of the nice, soft seated van, and went for the bumpy, very chilly, flatbed truck.
that's where the kids were riding, and i wanted to spend every second with them possible before our departure early monday morning.

from my seat in the very back of our neighbor's flatbed truck, i saw true beauty.
i saw laughter, hugging, and so much smiling.
i saw hopelessness replaced with hope.

it's very blurry because of bumpy roads and poor light, but you can kind of get the picture.

i felt so overcome by God's grace as i sat there and took in what was in front of me.
just over a year ago, these children were homeless, fatherless, and made their beds on the street or beach.
their mother's chose prostitution over them.
they were given alcohol and drugs.
they were abused.

such joyful times.

....but now, because of faith, because of God's mercy and love, they have a home.
they are loved.
they will always be someone's number one priority.
they are given healthy meals to eat.
and most importantly, they are being taught about the love of Jesus Christ.

just before they all floated off to sleep, they smiled those big smiles, and sang the most beautiful version of "Jesus Loves Me," that i have ever heard.

i feel so unworthy to get to experience such God moments. i'm always so humbled in situations like these that God chose me to be a part of something so wonderful.
that He entrusted me with His beautiful children.

the shoebox ministry was absolutely amazing. without a doubt, it was my favorite mission this far while serving in the Philippines.
i will share more about my thoughts on that ministry sometime soon when i have had much more sleep, and my brain is working more efficiently. :)

 

on this trip....
i saw a joy that was new.

i saw love that was overflowing.

i saw grateful hearts.

i saw family.

christmas to kananga

tuesday, december 4th, i will be leaving to have once again for another adventure in the philippines.

my heart is overflowing with joy, because i feel like i'm going home.

mississippi will always be home to me.

it's where i grew up.

where family and friends are.

but my puzzle will never be complete, because no matter what side of the globe i'm on.

i'm missing someone.

isn't that going to be one of the most glorious things about heaven.

i get all giddy just thinking about it.

an eternity with all the ones we love.

i don't know about you, but i'm ready!

whenever i was at uncle dick's home, this old hymn quickly became one of my favorite songs.

in church back in mississippi, it's words never hit home like they did when i was so far away.

stripped of all i had ever known.

but surrounded by an abundance of love.

i think we all know i didn't want to leave udh.

which is one of the reasons this song kept playing in my head.

when we all get to heaven..

what a glorious day...

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus;
sing his mercy and his grace.
In the mansions bright and blessed
he'll prepare for us a place.

When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we'll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
clouds will overspread the sky;
but when traveling days are over,
not a shadow, not a sigh.

Let us then be true and faithful,
trusting, serving every day;
just one glimpse of him in glory
will the toils of life repay.

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon his beauty we'll behold;
soon the pearly gates will open;
we shall tread the streets of gold.

i know i haven't done a super awesome job of updating everyone on everything going on at Rosemary's Home of Hope. i have every intention of being better, i  promise.

for the mean time, the most important thing that you could possibly know is that we need your prayers.

big time.

we are a team of five americans.

with 26 bags.

TWENTY SIX!

here's the process of packing up 26 bags/boxes.
looks crazy, huh?

i'm not exactly sure how we are going to handle that many once we arrive in Manila.

i'll have to let y'all know the outcome of that. ha.

our mission this trip: LOVE.

don't get me wrong. that's always our mission..to love.

but, typically we have more tasks at hand like tons of evangelism, vbs, etc.

this trip, we are going to be delivering christmas presents to our eleven orphans.

as well as delivering christmas shoe boxes to as many children in the village as possible.

i have never been this time of year, so i am very excited.

typically, i go in the spring of summer, so this is definitely different for me.

i can't wait to share a little bit of Jesus' birthday with them :)

please for us.

safety.

God's will.

laughter.

task to be completed.

and for heavens sake...

the 26 bags :)

love you all.

smokies winter magic

last week, my family and i took a nine day vacation to the great smoky mountains.

the past few months have been a stressful time for the four of us.

my mom is still adjusting to her new job.

dad is always being pulled in different directions with work.

grace quit basketball.

and i have experienced heartbreak.

needless to say, this trip was a nice retreat to get away from all of the chaos of home, and spend some quality time together. i realize trips like these will not always be possible, and i thank God for them.

 

the smokies is absolutely one of my favorite places in the world. it's so nice to be up in the mountains with no cell service (yep..i just said that), and just enjoy God's creation. i am learning more and more everyday how glorious He is. how perfect.

here's a few pictures...

dollywood with my sis

dad--just can't manage to get him to take a serious picture

beautiful sis

we fell in love with this little coffee shop by the old mill.
if you're every up there, go check it out!

what do you think? ;)



we went to candlelight christmas at the biltmore.
it. was. magical.





they enjoyed ice cream at the biltmore.
i went for the coffee
come on people...it's 30 degrees outside, who needs ice cream?


 



in the gardens at the biltmore.
we want to go back when the flowers are in full bloom.
it was kind of dreary in november

we enjoyed a fun day of racing with our good friends.
had a little friendly competition.
for a day, we were all ten years old again. ha!



late night snack after another long day in dollywood.
my hair is the result of one too many roller coasters.



soo...we were attempting to do a jumping shot..probably couldn't tell, huh?
it looks like a rockstar move gone wrong. haha.
we did actually get a very good jumping shot, if you're wondering.
sadly, it's on the other camera :(

the girls--cades cove

the girls & dad

friday night @ mellow mushroom.
please keep in mind we shopped ALL night Thursday night, and ALL day Friday.

last night in Gatlinburg.
enjoying walking the strip.

i would love to share with you my dad's birthday pictures, but he would probably kill me. we all went to bubba gumps to celebrate his big 50th.
they made him shake his booty.
if you know my dad, you probably can't believe he did it!

this song come on this morning on my way to work. it usually doesn't have such a powerful affect on me, but this morning...it hit me hard.

this line...it was as if God himself whispered into my ear.

"what if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy?"

i have known disappointment and trials in my life. but it hasn't been until recently that i have known disappointment with every fiber in my body.
sometimes, we just need to be reminded...no one or no thing could ever satisfy us the way the Messiah does.

just a thought....

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY!