Thursday, August 31, 2006

Happy 20th!





Norm and Becky Wretlind, Pastor Abraham from India and me at KBM's 20th Anniversary Celebration! There's also a picture of me and my dear friend, Holly (with baby Zoe) who has moved away:( So sad! And then there's me and summer team who came to visit me one night at 1 a.m. (That's why I'm in my pj's! But we had a great time talking and eating Krisy Kreme doughnuts! Yummy!

The Beautiful Mountains!




So hear I am somewhere close to Mt. Evans. I think I'm actually on it. Not sure. And I'm in one with Jenn and Chris and then there's the beautiful Colorado Rockies!

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Lots of changes

Well...here goes.

I have resigned from Kingdom Building Ministries.

God has been working in my heart so much in the past year, but mostly in the past six months, it's been amazing!

God has always given me a heart for the nations. Well, since high school anyway. I heard God's tugging on my heart the summer after my senior year in high school, but I wasn't ready for that. It scared me. So I went on for years being highly interested, but that was as far as I would let my heart go.

Last summer God took my heart to another level and I was ready to make the step to some degree. But it was a question of will I obey or won't I? And...the timing wasn't right.

With my job being kind of up in the air after August I really started seeking God on what my next steps would be. Was it time to move on? Or was this a waiting time for me?

At the beginning of June, with much preparation done on my heart, God asked me if I would go internationally for Him and on behalf of Him. This time it was different because I had grown since last summer. It was no longer a question of will I be obedient. I had to be obedient. I wanted to be obedient no matter the cost.

I never want God to not find me dependable. I don't ever want Him to think that He can't ask anything of me because I didn't do what He asked last time.

The big question...do I fear anything more than I fear hurting my relationship with Him? No! I don't want to hurt that relationship, that's why obedience to WHATEVER He asks me to do is a must and not a question. I told Him that I surrendered all to Him, and everything that I'm aware I needed to surrender has been surrendered. My life is His and others, not even mine, especially not mine.

I asked that God confirm the calling through scripture. He did; multiple times! He confirmed it in Hebrews, in Exodus, in Isaiah and in John. It was amazing.

So at the beginning of June, I knew that international ministry was my next step after KBM. But where to? The world is a big place! So...I started praying about that one too! God continually put a country on my heart, one that I've never wanted to go to, but I couldn't fight it any longer.

I am headed to east Asia for two years! But when?

Immediately! God put an urgency on my heart that this needed to start happening now and I didn't need to wait on it. So I haven't. I have applied with two organizations and am waiting to hear back. My goal is to leave for overseas at the beginning of 2007. I am leaving KBM at the end of October.

This has all happened so quickly I know, but God's hand is all over this and I'm ready! God is still preparing me for this and teaching me so much along the way about myself, our relationship, faith, trusting Him (right now I have no idea what I'll do there or where I'll go inside that country!) and leaving my life in America behind. I have moments where I'm sad and worried about how in the world is He going to use ME? But God is good and reassures me over and over that His power is made perfect in my weakness and where I'll go and what I'll do is not for me to know right now. I am to trust and follow just like Abraham!

So...here I go!

Friday, August 11, 2006

Tops

The tops:

5 best books I've ever read:
  • Bible-by far!
  • Peace Child-Don Richardson
  • Redeeming Love-Francine Rivers
  • A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael-Elisabeth Elliot
  • The Emotionally Healthy Church-? Picazzi

5 best restaurants I've ever been to:

  • The Carnivore (Nairobi, Kenya, Africa)
  • Heidi's (deli in Denver)
  • Nico's (NYC, NY)
  • Sullivan's (metropolitan grill in Anderson, SC)
  • The Blue Pumpkin (Siem Reap, Cambodia, Asia)

5 best places I've been to on travels:

  • Massaii Mara game reserve (Kenya, Africa)
  • Taj Mahal (India, Asia)
  • Grand Tetons (Wyoming, USA)
  • Appalachain Trail (Eastern part of USA)
  • Floating Village (Siem Reap, Cambodia, Asia)

5 best restaurants for sweet tea:

  • Rush's (Columbia, SC)
  • Tommy Condon's (Charleston, SC)
  • McCalister's Deli (Irmo, SC)
  • Sullivan's (Anderson, SC)
  • My mom's house (Greensboro, NC)

5 best comfort foods:

  • German Chocolate Cake Ice Cream (from anywhere)
  • Pineapple
  • Turkey Sandwich with Provolone (toasted)
  • White Chocolate Mocha
  • McDonald's: Big & Tasty w/ cheese, fries and a coke (and maybe a strawberry shake!)

5 best places to take a nap:

  • My bed
  • The couch in my parent's sunroom at their house
  • The love seat in the prayer room at KBM
  • The recliner in my den
  • My parent's bed

5 best names for my future dog:

  • Fred
  • Boomer
  • Caddy
  • Eleanor
  • Anderson

Sillyness!

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Never been happier!

I went to Starbucks today to get some alone time with God and was struck with awe and adoration for Him. I love those moments! I sat there thinking of what He's called me to and how my life will be ever radically changed! Let me preface this by saying that people are constantly telling me what my life should entail and what it should look like. And so I wrote in my journal this afternoon:

I know that nothing and no one (including a husband) will EVER make me as happy as I am at this moment!

I know I won't always feel this way, so I need to be reminded. But it's there. The joy of a life complete (as complete as it can be right now!)!

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Game on!

I've picked my team. We did it this morning at 8:00 am and I'm really excited! I really wish the season started this Sunday, but it doesn't. I'll have to be patient. Here's my team:

RB: LaDainian Tomlinson
RB: Willis McGahee
RB: Frank Gore
RB: Dominic Rhodes
WR: Reggie Wayne
WR: Deion Branch
WR: Braylon Edwards
WR: Laveranues Coles
QB: Matt Hasselbeck
QB: Jake Plummer
TE: Jason Witten
TE: Eric Johnson
K: Neil Rackers
K: Jeff Reed
DEF: Baltimore
DEF: Buffalo

So...what do you think? I'm excited and the boys are scared!

Well...tonight I will be buying wedding presents and birthday presents, playing ultimate frisbee and packing for next week! This is such a crazy week! And...I'll have all of you know (you people that call me high maintenance) that I am not checking a bag. I will be in the southeast for a week and in a wedding while I'm there and will only be carrying on a bag. I'm serious:)

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Fantasy Football

That's right, I've joined a league! Me and the three girls that are in this league (with six guys) are the coolest girls they know! :) And yeah, you guessed it! One of us girls is going to win! We've researched the teams and the players and the guys are way intimidated now! Wish me luck:)