I'M BACK!!! It has been quite a day with planes, no trains, and automobiles. And i must say, it feels good to be home (or my home away from home...away from home lol). Today has been full of exhaustion, excitement, warm welcomings, and new beginnings. i'm so excited to see what God has in store for this coming year and if i had any reservations about coming, they're long gone now. i am currently looking out over the town as night is starting to set in and can see the Mourne Mountains cascading down into the Irish Sea. The beauty here is astounding and the people a true image of Christ and what it means to be His hands and feet.
So many emotions are going on in me at the moment it's hard to really put into words how i'm feeling (or maybe that's the few cups of tea i've had lol) either way, i am so glad to be back and ready for this new adventure! Right now i'm a little on the tired side (refer to the aforementioned exhaustion) so within the next several days i'll be giving more of an update, but i wanted y'all to know I MADE IT! and i'm completely stoked about God's plans for the ministry and how He will use this broken, but available vessel in those plans :)
CHEERS!
in Christ alone
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Fireflies
Well, y'all will be happy to know that i write to you from the Atlanta airport waiting at the gate to fly over the pond into Ireland. i'll arrive in Dublin at 10:30am their time! WOOT WOOT! Now, as emotions are going crazy for me right now i am going from extremely excited to see how God will use me in this coming year as well as getting to see some familiar faces, but at the same time i'm saddened to think that i am leaving behind (if only for a time) those who helped me get to where i am today and knowing that my grandpa fell out of his bed yesterday and broke his hip. it breaks my heart to think i may not get to talk to him again. With all of these and several other emotions and situations flowing through my mind like crazy i thought i'd hone in on one particular thought that came about last night. Just a thought, nothing really deep or anything.
So, last night my sister and i met some of my friends at the county fair. Let me tell you, it was pretty nostalgic, however, that is not what i'm going to be sharing with you, that was just an extra tid bit :) ANYWHO! On the way my sister was saddened by a few things and her head was down. i, however, looked to her, but since i was driving i couldn't continue to look at her. As i was scanning the road and shoulder (good thing i did too because there was a deer right on the shoulder that thankfully didn't run out in front of the car!) but what i saw in the dark fields made me stop (figuratively) for the first time in a long time and marvel at God's creation, taking in who He truly is. It may not sound like anything special to you, but ask my sister, it was pretty sweet!
As i looked all around in the fields (which i have driven passed/through multiple times) fireflies seemed to be doing a little number. It was an incredible sight. With the windows down and the radio up (blaring country music of course) it was like in the midst of the darkness, they were dancing to God's song. Now i know the reason they light up and all that, but work with me here. It's 10pm, imagine the country smells (the good ones, not manure lol), wind circling around you, and as you gaze beyond into the fields it's like a recital has begun all for an audience of One, but we get to be spectators too. i couldn't help but shout to Kim over the blaring radio and wind ripping through the car, and as she lifted her eyes the tears were replaced with a smile all her own.
We live in a dark world, but there are beacons shining there lights, the Light. Our eyes are drawn to the light (why do you think Vegas is so bright?<--different kind of light, but you get what i'm saying). In the midst of pain and darkness, though, we need to learn to dance and share with others the excitement of what Christ has done, how that affects what we're doing now, and how that will impact the future, for eternity! i'm not saying life is always peachy because it's not, but if you don't look up, you may just miss the dance.
i'm reminded of a song by some talented men named Shane & Shane who sing of the Truth and this is what they have to say:
Next time i post, i'll be in NORTHERN IRELAND! WOOT WOOT!!!!!!
So, last night my sister and i met some of my friends at the county fair. Let me tell you, it was pretty nostalgic, however, that is not what i'm going to be sharing with you, that was just an extra tid bit :) ANYWHO! On the way my sister was saddened by a few things and her head was down. i, however, looked to her, but since i was driving i couldn't continue to look at her. As i was scanning the road and shoulder (good thing i did too because there was a deer right on the shoulder that thankfully didn't run out in front of the car!) but what i saw in the dark fields made me stop (figuratively) for the first time in a long time and marvel at God's creation, taking in who He truly is. It may not sound like anything special to you, but ask my sister, it was pretty sweet!
As i looked all around in the fields (which i have driven passed/through multiple times) fireflies seemed to be doing a little number. It was an incredible sight. With the windows down and the radio up (blaring country music of course) it was like in the midst of the darkness, they were dancing to God's song. Now i know the reason they light up and all that, but work with me here. It's 10pm, imagine the country smells (the good ones, not manure lol), wind circling around you, and as you gaze beyond into the fields it's like a recital has begun all for an audience of One, but we get to be spectators too. i couldn't help but shout to Kim over the blaring radio and wind ripping through the car, and as she lifted her eyes the tears were replaced with a smile all her own.
We live in a dark world, but there are beacons shining there lights, the Light. Our eyes are drawn to the light (why do you think Vegas is so bright?<--different kind of light, but you get what i'm saying). In the midst of pain and darkness, though, we need to learn to dance and share with others the excitement of what Christ has done, how that affects what we're doing now, and how that will impact the future, for eternity! i'm not saying life is always peachy because it's not, but if you don't look up, you may just miss the dance.
i'm reminded of a song by some talented men named Shane & Shane who sing of the Truth and this is what they have to say:
You have made my day
Even in stormy weather
I’m dancing in all the rain
Cause you make bad days…
Great is the way
When you come to mind
I am smiling ear to ear
Sweet thoughts of you
I’m always in the mood
To twirl around with you
While it’s raining
Even if it’s a dream
Great is the way
That I am unafraid
When I see you
All my fear goes away
Bad days are coming
Rainy days are always around
But if I can see you
One glance upon you
The sun comes out
I’m dancing in all the rain
Cause you make bad days betterDon't forget to look up, and take some time to dance, even in the rain :)
Next time i post, i'll be in NORTHERN IRELAND! WOOT WOOT!!!!!!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Bittersweet
After a holiday weekend where I got to see family and friends I haven't seen in a while, reality is starting to set in. With the countdown in the single digits, I'm getting nervous, scared, and trying to wrap my head around the reality of it all. Although I've lived in Northern Ireland for three months two separate times, it scares me to think about being away from those who have been my main support for so long.
I think about what God has done throughout my life these past few years since my first trip to Northern Ireland in 2009 and it makes me laugh at myself for thinking I have anything to be nervous about. God has always helped me to be who I needed to be to whom I needed to be at the time and place of where I've been.
But somehow this time is different. Whether it's because of where I am spiritually, where I am in my personal life, or the possible impact this year abroad could make...something's got me on edge. I hope that if you are reading this you know that your prayers mean more than I can express. I know life isn't easy, but choosing to follow where God has led my heart, away from all the comforts of home, is really starting to scare me. I'm not exactly sure where this is all coming from, but please pray that God will give me comfort in knowing that His strength is made perfect in weakness.
I trust that God will use me despite my insecurities. I have seen Him do wonders in the ministry when I honestly thought our efforts would fail. He has shown me time and time again that He's there, right beside me, no matter what road I travel or country I venture to. He's with each of us. He's cries along with us through heartache, laughs with us as we're watching YouTube videos of funny animals, He feels our pain, and rejoices with us in victory. He's always there and His love never fails. Please pray that when times get tough, or I'm missing home, or second-guessing my abilities on the mission field that I remember that He is always near and His love never fails.
Romans 12:12 says, "Rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." This was the verse I read one morning of Summer Fused 2009. It changed the course of where I chose my life to go. What will you let lead your path? I pray it's His Word rather than the world. Because the world is full of heartache, but His Word expresses love...uncensored, raw, real. A love like that you just can't pass up. And in a world that tends to scare us, a love that drives out fear is one worth hanging on to.
I think about what God has done throughout my life these past few years since my first trip to Northern Ireland in 2009 and it makes me laugh at myself for thinking I have anything to be nervous about. God has always helped me to be who I needed to be to whom I needed to be at the time and place of where I've been.
But somehow this time is different. Whether it's because of where I am spiritually, where I am in my personal life, or the possible impact this year abroad could make...something's got me on edge. I hope that if you are reading this you know that your prayers mean more than I can express. I know life isn't easy, but choosing to follow where God has led my heart, away from all the comforts of home, is really starting to scare me. I'm not exactly sure where this is all coming from, but please pray that God will give me comfort in knowing that His strength is made perfect in weakness.
I trust that God will use me despite my insecurities. I have seen Him do wonders in the ministry when I honestly thought our efforts would fail. He has shown me time and time again that He's there, right beside me, no matter what road I travel or country I venture to. He's with each of us. He's cries along with us through heartache, laughs with us as we're watching YouTube videos of funny animals, He feels our pain, and rejoices with us in victory. He's always there and His love never fails. Please pray that when times get tough, or I'm missing home, or second-guessing my abilities on the mission field that I remember that He is always near and His love never fails.
Romans 12:12 says, "Rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." This was the verse I read one morning of Summer Fused 2009. It changed the course of where I chose my life to go. What will you let lead your path? I pray it's His Word rather than the world. Because the world is full of heartache, but His Word expresses love...uncensored, raw, real. A love like that you just can't pass up. And in a world that tends to scare us, a love that drives out fear is one worth hanging on to.
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