Forever For His Glory

These past 12 months (April 2016 - April 2017) were honestly the most painful and yet best I have ever had. They were challenging in ways that I didn’t expect and joyful in ways that were surprising. My heart felt like it was constantly in a time of being broken and then built back together only to have it broken and put back together, stronger than before. And not always broken in bad ways, but simply having preconceived ideas and dreams challenged and things stripped away and replaced. And it hurt! But God is good and He makes things new! When I used to hear people say, “I’m in a time of consecration” I’d just think, that’s kind of odd…. Isn’t that just the way singles are supposed to live? What’s the point? Ha ha ha….. This year: I’ve discovered is that it is very hard to be mentally “not available” when I technically am available (single). Before, there was pretty much always the thought in the back of my head of, “ What if he shows up soon?! ”. It took time...

If you had asked me when I was 10 what I wanted to be when I was older, I probably would have told you married and/or a veterinarian/horse trainer/professional singer. But instead, I’m here on a beautiful Caribbean island for 4 months, loving on kids and teaching them about Jesus, and getting ready to go into full-time missions. What?! That was definitely not in my 10 year old’s master plan. 2007 - Halter-breaking Freedom Yet here I am, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else! But I find it very funny because my 10 year old self would have thrown such a fit if you had told her this was where she would have been in 11 years. No joke. This is so far from what I wanted back then. It makes me think about my friends in various positions. Engaged. Getting a degree. Serving in the local church. Single. Serving in a nation across the ocean. Married with kids. Teaching adults. Teaching children. Living with their parents. Living on their own. 2008 - Some of ou...

There is something powerful about 100 young people unashamedly worshiping before the throne of God. Dancing, jumping, hands lifted high. Others kneeling or laying prostrate in awe of their Savior. Our generation is looking for something to be passionate about, and God is the only One who can fulfill that desire. Everything else is a cheap imitation. We were created to worship and serve Him, and until we do, there will be a void in our life. It is time for us to stop our passivity. God can't move in the nations unless we are willing to be His hands and feet. Don't worry about the who, what, when, where, and why. If God is calling you do something, do it! Many of the leaders here have told stories about God telling them to do crazy things (selling everything they own, etc), and God has always responded in amazing ways! If God is calling you to do something, trust Him! I've seen ankles healed, backs healed, pain and swelling disappear, my broken toe 75% healed (praise th...

“ Who am I ?” The question that has plagued scholars and common folk alike. How/why do I respond to certain situations the way I do? What are my dreams/passions? How do I respond when I get angry? What makes my heart stop beating in awe of? What type of people do I like to be around? How do I deal with criticism? Have you actually tried to get a pen and paper out and answer those questions? I haven’t. No reason to, because everyone else is telling me what I’m like, or what they think I’m like. According to the Myers Briggs personality test I’m an ENFP (I’m extroverted, and I rely on intuition, feeling, and perception). I’m an “enthusiastic, creative and sociable free spirit who can always find a reason to smile”. According to iPersonic, I’m a Spontaneous Idealist who is “creative, lively, open-minded, humorous and disposes of a contagious zest for life.” According to liberals I’m some-type of right-wing fanatic. “ She wants to own guns and is against abortion...

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11 I did not want to grow up. I wanted the benefits of being a grown up, but I did not want the responsibilities. I wanted to be treated like a grown up, but still act like a child - an “adolescent”. Except, it’s not possible. I have tried. You either act like an adult and get treated like an adult, or you act like a child and get treated like a child. For most of my life, I have been tall for my age. When I was 6 people thought I was 9. When I was 9, people thought I was 12. When I was 12, people thought I was 16, and so on. You get the picture… Some people still think I’m older than I am. Since I was taller, and everyone thought I was older than I was, they treated me like I was older, and my maturity level increased to said older age. And, I have to admit, I enjoyed it. But, when I turned 1...