A Little Update

  Well I wanted to update you with my current status. As I write this I have 5 hours until I meet with the team to head to the airport. Since I wrote my previous post I have been saving my tip money on a daily basis. It's been adding up. Sometimes a lot and sometimes a little. Sometimes none.    I shared in a previous post that I would be going to Mexico this Christmas to help deliver gifts to families at a church that we partner with. I am going because I prayed a crazy prayer and asked God to provide me with the funds for a plane ticket through my tips at work if He wanted me to go to Mexico. Then I would know for sure that I was supposed to go. The day after I prayed that prayer I got a $60 tip. Totally God. I was going to Mexico!

  A friend gave me a good suggestion to make a little sign to put up by the tip jar to say I was saving money for a missions trip. I liked the idea buuuut I didn't feel like it was the God plan for me. I really wanted God to just show me how great of a provider He is. So I said nothing. I simply waited on God. As always, He was faithful to provide. Yesterday I added my money up and I was 50 cents short of my plane ticket price. I told my sister and she reminded me that I had actually overpaid her the first time by about 50 cents. So right now I am here to tell you that God has provided!! The entire cost of my plane ticket was provided for me without me asking anyone but Him. Incredible!  

Jehovah Jireh - the Lord will provide - this is the TRUTH that I stand upon.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God:

that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

And if we know that he hears us 

- whatever we ask -

we know that we have what we asked of him."

1 John 5:14-15

  I would appreciate your prayers as we fly to Mexico and deliver these gifts. Pray for protection over us. Pray that we accurately display Christ's love to these families. Pray that they know they are loved and feel blessed. Pray that we speak when God is speaking to us and that He gives us words for these families!

  I sincerely pray that this story is an inspiration to you. Don't be afraid to pray a crazy prayer and give God room to move. I think He kind of likes it that way. ;) Let Him show you what He can do!!!

*This story was inspired by the story of George Mueller and his ministry.

The Betrayal

  "A radiant bride greeted her guests with a brilliant smile as she entered the reception hall after the wedding ceremony. She gracefully moved and milled about the room, the train of her stunning white gown flowing along the floor behind her, her veil cascading down her button-adorned back.
    She conversed with each guest one by one, taking the time to mingle and soak up the compliments. 'You look absolutely lovely.' 'Your dress is divine.' 'I've never seen a more beautiful bride.' 'What a stunning ceremony.' The lavish praises rang on and on. The bride couldn't be more proud or appreciative of the crowd's adoration. She could have listened to them swoon over her all evening. As a matter of fact, she did.
    But where was the groom? All the attention focused on the bride and never once did she call anyone's attention to her husband. She didn't even notice his absence at her side. Scanning the room, I searched for him, wondering, 'Where could be he?'
   I finally found him, but not where I expected him to be. The groom stood alone over in the corner of the room with his head down. As he stared at his ring, twisting the gold band that had just been placed on his finger by his bride, tears trickled down his cheeks and onto his hands. That is when I noticed the nail scars. The groom was Jesus.
   He waited, but the bride never once turned her face toward her groom. She never held His hand. She never introduced the guests to Him. She operated independently of Him."

   This excerpt comes from Every Woman's Battle by Shannon Ethridge. Shannon talks about how we are that bride when we begin to look for love, attention, and affection in every place except for the right one. We take on the name of Christ as a Christian but then we tend to walk away from Him. We don't give Him the attention He deserves. We seek out other people to satisfy our longings. People who will fail us. Affirmations that will leave us feeling empty after long. In essence, we are betraying our groom. He has asked us to come away with Him, to be His bride and yet we begin to believe the lie that He is not enough. The truth is He IS Enough. No one else will do. No one else will satisfy. We are imperfect beings. We will fail one another at times. He will NEVER fail us. His love remains. Above all else.
   My challenge to you AND myself is this: get away with Him. Get to know Him more intimately than you do right now. Give Him consistent time. Talk to Him. Daily. No marriage can remain healthy without communication. So why do we think our relationship with God can remain healthy if we aren't communicating with Him? Sometimes, we just need to get away from everything else and tune into His voice. He has some incredible things He wants to say to us, if only we'll listen. So, let's do it! He is worth it. SO WORTH IT! ;)

Undeniably God

Undeniably Beautiful Sunset ;)

 My life has taken some pretty interesting turns lately. Not where I was expecting it to go. A Proverbs 16:9 kind of life. ;)

 "In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps."

-Proverbs 16:9

  This verse has been so huge in my life lately. Before I came back home to Topeka someone came up and shared that verse with me. They didn't know what I was struggling with but they felt like they needed to share it with me and tell me that God would be behind the path I took. Perfect timing. The night before I had decided I was supposed to move back to Topeka. God has since shown me soooo many reasons why I am supposed to be home. He has placed me in ministry areas I might not have chosen, BUT I LOVE them. I had to take a break from college for the semester. Not my choice but I know it was God directed. Basically all of the reasons why I told God I would come back home didn't work out. He changed them. Clever guy He is. ;) They are turning out better than my plans by the way. This was a tangent to my real story, whoops!

  This Christmas my church is doing something different. In the past we have sponsored families from a local school that we partnered with and bought presents for specific families. This year we are doing this, with families in Mexico. We are purchasing gifts for 6 families and then 6 ladies from our church are flying to Mexico on Christmas Eve to deliver the gifts.

   I was asked to go to Mexico and right away I said no. I honestly did not feel like I was supposed to go. I didn't even pray about it. I tried to go on a missions trip this summer and God told me no. So I thought it would be the same answer. Then someone randomly told me I should go on a missions trip. I let the comment sit somewhere in my mind but I still didn't really pray about it. Then I was asked a third time about going to Mexico. I decided it was time to sit down and ask God. 'Am I supposed to go to Mexico?' I prayed a crazy prayer. A Matthew 7:7-8 kind of prayer. 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds;

and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

-Matthew 7:7-8

  I told God if He wanted me to go to Mexico that I needed Him to provide for me. To make it crazy I said 'Hey, you can pay for my trip through my tips if you want. Be creative!' ;) The NEXT day I went to work and someone I had taken a special cake order for left me a $60 tip. That's Huge!! I just box up the cupcakes people choose. I take their money and I am nice to them along the way. Nothing too complex. So a $60 tip is HUGE.  HUGE!!! I have my answer from God, so I am going to Mexico for Christmas. The country I thought I might never go to again. Why, I am not sure. But I am going back. I am excited!! I know God has something up His sleeve and I am excited to find out what it is. That's my story. My Undeniably God story. 

  I bet if you ask Him (Matthew 7:7-8) He'll do something similar for you. In a completely different way though!!!!

The Great Romancer

 He's been at it again. Jesus captivates my heart. Daily. ;)

  So, if you didn't know.....I LOVE fall. There are so many reasons why: the leaves change colors, pumpkin everything arrives in stores, I get to wear warm clothes and scarves, apple cider is available, the leaves change colors and the weather tends to stay at this perfect temperature all the time. Did I mention the leaves change colors?  I just love it!
 The other week I drove around town taking pictures of the beautiful fall leaves/trees. It was so wonderful. I was just amazed at the beauty of God. He spoils me every fall. ;) If I had waited a week or so the leaves would have all fallen down and I wouldn't have been able to take any pictures. Also, fall in Kansas is WAY prettier than in Colorado. One thing we have over them. :) So I'm super glad I was here for fall!

"He has made everything beautiful in its time."

-Ecclesiastes 3:11

 

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek...

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord." -Psalm 27:4

 

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

-Proverbs 13:12

 

"Open up your heart and let me in...

Come away with me, come away with me,

It's never too late, it's not too late for you

I have a plan for you

It's gonna be wild

It's gonna be great

It's gonna be full of me!!!"

-Jesus

Small Beginnings

  Topeka. Home sweet home. I am so excited to be back here. God has called me here, for now, and I love it. I know this is where I am supposed to be. He's shown me places He wants me to be involved in. Steps to take. Things to do. People to talk to. I am on a mission. I learned what I did in Colorado to bring it back here.

Prayer board - Topeka

 That being said - God works in new and mysterious ways. What He did there is not necessarily what He will do here. Keeps life exciting.

  My mom and I have started a prayer meeting at our church. It is one Sunday night a month and we take turns leading. Last month I led and I strongly felt the Holy Spirit leading me to use some of the things from Colorado. As you may have seen before, we had a prayer room in Colorado with literally walls full of prayer requests. It was a very special place. So many things to pray about.  

  I decided to make a prayer board. I cut out the side of a cardboard box, painted it, and brought it with me to church. Then I had everyone write down a miracle they wanted to see happen. Afterwards we took time to pray over each request - praying for a request that someone else wrote down. It was such an incredible time and I felt the Holy Spirit in the room. God met us there!
  That little board was just the beginning. There will be bigger boards to come. More of them as well. God has been stirring up something big and new. Something different. I am super duper excited! Check back in later to see what it is!! ;)

He's Calling You Away

 I had the wonderful privilege of driving to Kansas City this past week to spend a few hours in the International House of Prayer. Night and day - 24/7 - there is prayer and worship being lifted up to God.  After spending a whole year in a season of prayer and then coming back home I most definitely needed that trip. While I was there one of the worship leaders went into a time of prophetic worship. Basically they were singing words that they felt like Jesus was saying for the people in the room. These words touched me so much that I wanted to share them with you.

"It's time to leave behind what is familiar and come away. Don't cling to the illusion of safety. The safest place is by my side. I am looking for a suitable partner, so come away. I'm calling you away from your fears. We've come so far, come away farther...leave the safety of this place. Come and make me your hiding place. Arise my love and come away. I'm about to move things around. With just one breath everything changes. Are you ready to run my beloved one? I want you with me at the helm of the ship. At the crest of the wave. It's a season of change. It's a season of shifting and I'm calling you away cause I want you with me. Are you ready to run? Make me your safe place."

Wait...

  I don't know about you, but God sure seems to have a favorite word for me. Wait. So many times when I have prayed about something...asked Him why, asked Him to change things, or get me out of situations He says 'wait.' That's all. Just 'wait.'

  Recently I was super fed up with God for continuing to use this word. I wanted something new. I was sick of waiting! However He didn't change what He was saying. So I decided to do some research. I love finding out the meaning behind words. Going back to the basics. Wait - to remain until something expected happens; to be ready; to await. I dug deeper still. Await - to be in store for. Ready - prepared to act or be used immediately; willing; available at once.
   So maybe, just maybe, God was trying to tell me that I was not ready. I was not prepared to act or be used immediately if He called me somewhere new. If He called me in a new direction. Maybe, just maybe, there was a reason behind the wait. I taken much time to seek God and ask Him what I still have yet to learn. I want to be ready for the next step. I think it's working. :) I have more direction as to what God is calling me in to right now because I took that step to find out why I am waiting. Instead of continuing to be stubborn and refusing to learn, I chose to learn. Finally. It only took boo koohs of times of God telling me wait. What's His favorite word for you? What is He trying to teach you today?

"I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

WAIT for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and WAIT for the Lord."

-Psalm 27:13-14

Life is a Highway....New York

"Life is a highway, I wanna ride it all night long...."  

  I traveled again. This time to New York. Road trip with my mom. My favorite! Being a road trip this means that we drove through a teeny bit of Kansas, all of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and parts of Pennsylvania and finally New York. I have my goal of going to every state in the US and I got to mark 3 new states off of my list. It was wonderful! :) I am now over halfway there!
 We went to New York to visit family (my parents grew up there) and attend my cousin Matthew's wedding. It was a nice time with family that I haven't seen in a long time. Here are some pictures from the trip...

The 1st of many bridges I captured on camera. ;)

We stopped at the St. Louis Zoo for a quick visit because it's free!

They have water fans to keep the visitors cool. Clever, clever.

Mom and I    ;)

They have a fun seal exhibit.

The penguins were also super cute.

I stopped to capturing a piece of the beauty of God.

Welcome to Ohio!! New State!!

A Christian coffee shop in Columbus has this mural outside the shop.

I just thought the streets full of houses looked really cool. I liked the neighborhood.

Random stop - Niles, Ohio. My parents lived here when my brother was born....30 some odd years ago. ;)

The church that planted the seed for my parents to get saved!!

President McKinley was born in Niles, Ohio. We visited his memorial.

My 1st time in Pennsylvania!! :) Amish country.

They have lots and lots of farms along side the highway.

The church the wedding was held at - very beautiful!

The happy couple - Tessie and Matthew

My adorable second-cousin Leah. :)

My grandparents. :)

I am fascinated by iron bridges.

New York knows how to do weddings right.

The view from where the reception was held.

Do we look like twins? My mom thinks so. :) My uncle Ernie.

My second cousins Colin and James. They are all sooo cute. And they liked me. ;)

A retired bridge down the road from my grandparents house.

Random stop - Amish country in New York. Warning...buggies on the road.

We found one!!

 Erie, Pennsylvania has a very beautiful peninsula that we took a drive on. If you are in the city, stop by.

It is right by an amusement park where the roller coaster went over the road.

We stayed the night in Indianapolis. Cool downtown.

 

:) - Jesus' incredible artwork.

 Did you know that a suburb of St. Louis hold's the world's largest Catsup bottle? We discovered this on our trip. It was on the map, so I decided to check it out. ;)

It's pretty big. The things we find on a map....

Of course we drove by the arch. We were in St. Louis. :)

 There was this super fun downtown street that we found that is full of shops. And cool apartments. And fountains.

No road trip is complete without a trip to a cupcake store. The Cup in downtown St. Louis is worth the stop if you are in the area.

Peach Cobbler - Yum!

 Also, did you know that St. Louis is home to the World's Largest Chess Piece? We discovered that as well...

To end my road trip - another bridge! :)

 Thank you for taking this journey with me across the country. I hope you enjoyed it. :)