My Life Is Not My Own

This morning at church, Scott delivered a very powerful Word from God. It was very clear that God's presence filled our worship center. So many thoughts consumed my mind. I probably need to go ahead and insert that I'm in the middle of reading 'Radical' by David Platt, too.

At the end of the message, Scott addressed the church in a way that he hasn't ever done before. During that time, he asked for those that are feeling called to live radically for the sake of the Kingdom to come forward and give it all up. That time did so much for me. I heard God's voice speak clearly to me. I'm not sure exactly what it all means, but it is definitely going to be a time of stepping out of my comfort zone and doing things that I'm not at all inclined to do on my own.

I'm nervous about this new "radical" journey. I'm excited, too. What does this journey look like for me? I'm not really sure yet. However, I know that my life is not my own. I'm here to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To go where He has called me to go, to live how He wants me to live. Not lavishly, but simple.

Radical living...I'm all in.

Yes, I'm still alive!

It has been 3 months since I've last updated. I really can't believe that it's been that long, but SO much has been going on. I think this calls for a bullet style update for the friends and family and strangers that actually care...

• September, October, and November were FILLED with all things orange! It was a great home season on Rocky Top and all the games were a BLAST. I LOVE living in Knoxville for the games. The atmosphere around town is almost better than Christmas time!
• I closed on my house, yep...MY VERY FIRST HOME...on September 30th. I was SO nervous about it all, but I signed on the, well ALL the, dotted lines and am now a homeowner. It has been so much fun decorating and making it my own. Everything is starting to come together and I only have the spare room left to completely finish. I'll post pictures one of these days.
• November baby boy turned 4! I can't believe that he is 4 now. He is so big and still such a little JOY. I love that he is in our family. He is growing up and isn't such a baby anymore. It makes me so sad.
• It's now December and almost Christmas time. I'm almost finished with my Christmas shopping. The preschool ministry at church is having some "guest" visitors each week. Last week we had a donkey. Tomorrow it's a sheep. Next week a camel. They are coming to help tell the Christmas story and the kids LOVE it.

Life has been nonstop for the last few months. I have so much more to share, including a ton of pictures. Hopefully in the next few days I can get caught up. I hate it when I get behind in blogging. I love being able to go back and read all about the things that were going on at certain times, so I'm really going to try to do better.

June Bug 2.0

The month of June is our VBS time at Northstar. Instead of the normal week long VBS we spend every Wednesday night in June learning about what "bugs" God, getting messy, and singing buggy songs. The sweet little children have had a BLAST. I love watching their little faces light up each week.

Breaking Ground at Northstar

Last weekend we had a ground breaking and prayer walk at our new property at Northstar. God has provided us with an amazing piece of land and building has started on our new building. With God's help, we should be in it by October! Our building now is beautiful, however, we must have
two services on Sunday to hold everyone. It will be awesome to worship all together again!

Where has the time gone??

It's been weeks since I last posted. I've been SO busy! Life has been a whirlwind of things and I'm finally getting back in the old groove and settled into my never-ending-oh-so-busy life! God has truly blessed me with such awesome family, friends, and an even more awesome life!

Samantha and I are pretty much settled into our new apartment...and it looks amazing, if I do say so myself :) Hopefully I'll have some pictures posted in the next few days so you can see for yourself.

Church is great. Pastor Scott has had some really awesome messages the last few weeks. You can listen to them here. Northstar has really been a blessing to me. The people there are amazing and have such hearts for the Lord. I really feel like I'm at home when I'm at Northstar. I'm being used in the Children's Ministry on a weekly basis and am honored to have such a sacred job within the church. Those kids are the future of God's kingdom and I feel so blessed to be a part of their lives. To hear and see their love for Jesus is amazing. If you live in the Knoxville area and are looking for a church home I want to encourage you to seek Jesus in your journey and visit us at Northstar. We would love to see you!

Please be in prayer for the Smith family as yesterday was the year anniversary of the death of their sweet girl, Audrey. Also, be in prayer for Baby Stellan. A surgery may be in his near future, however God is a performer of miracles and anything can happen between now and tomorrow. Pray for rest for MckMama and her family, pray for Stellan's doctors, and pray for Stellan.

As for me, I'm great. I'm planning a trip to my hometown for this weekend and can't wait to have easter egg hunts with the baby, home cooked meals, and family time. School is going great and I'm really loving my decision to be a hairstylist. I love it! Paisley is great as well and is excited about showing off her new Easter dress this weekend!

So far behind...

I am so far behind in my blogging. I have been so busy lately I have not had a chance to update in about a week. Nothing too interesting has happened. A lot of school, a lot of work, and a lot of church. I'm not complaining though because life is wonderful right now. I have a few posts that I just can't seem to finish. They're good though, so keep an eye out for them!
Tomorrow I'm leaving to visit my hometown and my family and I can't wait. I talked to Davy the other day for about 20 minutes and he is just as precious as ever and I can't wait to love on him!
We're going Sunday to find dresses to wear in Rheanne's wedding. I can't believe that it's that time! I'm looking forward to a girls day with my best friend!

As I was driving to work today, or maybe it was home from school, I can't really remember right now, but anyways, I was thinking about how I'm excited to be going home for the weekend but also how I'm going to miss Northstar on Sunday morning. I'm so thankful for my sweet church and for the people there. I really feel like God sent me Northstar at just the right time. Each week I learn something new and God reveals something else He has in store for me. I've grown so much in my time there and consider myself blessed to have such a Godly church. It makes me thankful to live in a country where we are allowed to worship freely and openly.

My laundry just finished so I need to go swap out more. I promise that I'll do better on my posts next week...and I'll finish the ones I've started. Maybe I'll get one finished and posted tonight :) But that's a huge maybe!

Updates...In bullet form

Because I like bullet form and they make my life a little bit easier when I'm tired, yet not tired enough to skip out on a post because I feel guilty for not updating lately. So, without further delay, I give you....bullets:

• School is great. I'm scheduled to be finished by October 16. However, I must mention that is if I don't miss ANY days between today and then. So, my realistic date will be more along the lines of November 16, I'm sure!
• Samantha and I had some great sister time last night. A whole post dedicated to last night to come at a later time, like when I get the pictures uploaded.
• Work is going well. I'm still broke all the time but I'm learning to deal with that.
• Sam and I are moving in April. We're excited. And now, I have no motivation to really clean my house. I want to pack it all up and move right now. Our new apartment will kick butt.
• Paisley is still as sweet as ever. She's actually laying on my leg as I post this. So sweet :)
• I miss my family. I miss Greenbrier and I miss my babies. I struggle with the fact that some days I want to move back, but other days I want to stay right here. I love Knoxville and all my friends here, but I long to be close to my family again.
• I've recently noticed that my life isn't what I had it all planned out to be 3 years ago. It is still outstandingly wonderful in every way. It just doesn't reflect at all what I thought I was going to be doing. Nor does it reflect the many, many MASH games Courteney and I played in the 8th grade.
  
• Also, recently, I have felt the burden of something big on my heart. I don't really feel compelled to share right now, however, I would like to request prayer on it. God knows what it is.
• A friend of mine recently had surgery. It has bothered me that I haven't been able to help her in the ways that I want. She's remained on my heart and in my prayers though. And I know she can feel it.
• I was super blessed to be able to have dinner with Michelle and the kids on Wed. before church. I love her so much and I'm so thankful for her friendship.
• Wed. night again reminded me of what special kids we have at Northstar. I love them all so much and I feel so honored to be a part of their lives, even if it is only for a couple of hours a week.
  
• At the moment I'm reading Karen Kingsbury's Between Sundays. And it's amazing. I love her books. I've almost read them all.
  

And those my blogging and real life friends, are my updates for now. I hope you enjoyed. What are you doing these days?

A life changed

You may remember from a previous post that I had mentioned that one of the girls in my Grapple group at S.T.O.R.A.G.E. went on a mission trip to Nicaragua with her mom and a team of others. They arrived back in Knoxville safe and sound this past Sunday, after spending 10 days loving on children in the Hogar Agape orphanage. Last night during S.T.O.R.A.G.E. Emma shared about her experience with her friends. I was listening to this little girl tell about children who had no mommy or daddy to love them. The purpose of this trip was to share about Jesus and to bring Christmas to the orphanage. Emma shared that she realized on this trip that she had a room full of junk and these kids had nothing. Her little heart was burdened that she had so much when these children just like her had so little. It was amazing. As she was telling stories about her trip, a few boys were laughing and cutting up. Emma, with the most stern look on her face, told them that none of this was funny; it was sad and she was disappointed they thought it was funny. At that moment, I saw the love and desire in her heart for these children in Nicaragua. When I asked her about her trip, the first thing out of her mouth was "I'm going to live in Nicaragua." And I have no doubts that this little child will be used greatly in the coming years, for her life has been changed, for good.

Thank you to those that prayed for Emma's trip.

Leaving the comfort of what we know

Our message at church this morning was about Jonah and his journey to Ninevah. Most of you all know the story. God called Jonah to witness to the people of Ninevah, Jonah was on his way, decided he didn't want to go, and was then swallowed by a whale. Jonah didn't want to leave the comfort of what he knew. Most of us are like that in our lives today. We're comfortable where we are, who we're with and what we're doing. Some are called to serve elsewhere, and many answer the call right away. Some wait a little bit longer until God really pulls at them. In our service today we were blessed to have the Masters family join us. They are missionaries serving in Asia. They had a remarkable story and I'm so glad I got to hear all about their journey so far. They have been living in our Mission House for the past few months and at the end of December they will travel back to their village in Southeast Asia. Please pray for their safe travels.

Tonight as I sit here close to family and friends, there is a little girl and her mom serving Nicaragua. The left out Friday and arrived safely. Mom Michelle and daughter Emma are serving at an orphanage for the next ten days. The most amazing thing about this story? Emma is only 11 years old. I have the privilege of being Emma's Grapple Team leader in our S.T.O.R.A.G.E class at church. This remarkable little girl has such a heart for Jesus. Each week she comes to me with a different prayer request and has such awesome examples of how we should live our lives for God. Emma's family had been going to Nicaragua and serving over the last few years, but because it is so expensive Emma never got to go. About a month ago, Emma asked the church to pray that they be able to have enough money so that she could go on the next trip. Her family pulled together, sold some things, and raised enough money so that Emma could go on her first mission trip. She was ecstatic. I'm telling you, this little girl has such a burden for people. If everyone had a heart like hers, our world would be a much, much better place. We received word from her dad that Emma is doing great. She and her mom are helping and serving at an orphanage. Emma is the youngest person there with the group she is with. The most exciting part so far? She's been asked to lead the devotional on Wednesday! I'm so excited for her. And it makes me be super proud to be her teacher :-)

This week, as your going through the hustle and bustle of your daily, ordinary life, pray for those that have given up the comfort of what they knew to serve our God. Pray that Emma and Michelle stay safe and have a good trip. Pray that Emma's eyes be opened to all the things God can do and will do if we serve Him. Pray for that Masters family, and other missionaries around the world. And pray for the children at the orphanage. Pray that they understand that even if they are without the love of earthly parents, they have a heavenly parent that loves them far more than anything they can imagine.

Wild, Wild Week

This week has flown by! I can't believe it's already Friday. I'm ready for the weekend. I find myself looking forward to Sunday more and more each week. I can't get enough of DOK and church. I love Northstar and feel like I have truly found a home with the people there. They are amazing and I have made such wonderful friends there.
This week has been great. Like I said, it's gone by super fast. Monday I worked and went out with some friends that night. We ended up at Wild Wings Cafe for some good food and fun! Tuesday Margaret and I threw Tricia an engagement party/girls night. It was super fun and filled with good times. Wednesday was school and church. The kids in my class are amazing and I love teaching them and hearing about their week and what's bothering them in life at the moment. They have the sweetest hearts and they love Jesus so much. Thursday I had school and worked all night. And here we are at today, Friday. I had a test this morning at school and think I did pretty well on it. Tonight I have to work and tomorrow is school and more work. I'm working a lot the next few weeks, but I'm thankful because I need the money badly.

At the moment, a few things I'm doing/love are:
*The song, Feels Like Redemption by Michael English
*Hot Carmamel Apple Cider from Starbucks
*Being cuddled on the couch with Paisley
*Going through all my cute, colorful summer clothes and putting them away to bring out the big, soft, winter clothes
*Trying to make out my Christmas list, plus figure out what to get others
*Falling more and more in love with God each day
*Praying for sweet friends
*Reading some of my favorite blogs about adoption. My favorite, Dreaming Big Dreams. And praying that their Haiti adoption speeds up!

What are you some of your favorite things right now?