Trying to Survive Without Prayer

I am currently reading Tim Kellers book on Prayer ( Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God ). I highly recommend the book. Tim does such a great job of writing from his personal experience and study , providing his readers with relatable, practical material backed up with solid scripture references. Countless hero's of our faith , even Christ Himself survived on prayer. It was a part of their lives that was disciplined , committed and highly active. The depth of our prayer life as Christians is related to the success of our lives in all other areas. Prayer is our life line , and direct communication line to our heavenly Father. I know for my self and many friends we can understand what is feels like when we know the person we love cannot be reached. Even if you could pick.up the phone and dial their number or shoot them an email. That feeling knowing they won't receive it for days, for weeks , maybe months !! Those who have been in a long distance relationship , when your friend goes on a long trip , or your loved one gets deployed to a foreign country. That feeling of distance , disconnection , and anticipation can be excruciating at times. I help but think that is how the Lord feels in His dealing with me sometimes. Frustrated that I don't pick up my phone , answer my text , or reply to His email more often then not. So many things He wants to tell me , things my heart longs to hear , information that would be so helpful and yet I don't have the time to connect for minimal times a day. I ask myself WHY ???

I am constantly convicted by the Spirit in regards to my prayer life. It is an area that constantly needs work. Quality prayer is directly linked to our view and knowledge of the scriptures and the Father Himself. Prayer is an extended conversation with the Lord and stems from the Bible , God's personal love letter to His children. May we strive to love and know the Word inside and out so that we can know directly the One we are conversing with in prayer. We long to speak to you often and hear from you Jesus even more.

Here is another great article on Prayer that the Lord brought to my attention this week. It ministered to me hope it does the same for you.

http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/8-lessons-from-the-school-of-prayer

Embracing the Good Over Evil

So I am currently at work and let me tell you. There is nothing worst then writing a whole blog post on your phone like a text. But alas making the most of my down time while the baby takes his nap.

So it's confession time. I HATE social media. The junk , gossip , and dirt that can be found there is disturbing to say the least. Social media is ruining kids , families, and marriages. There have been multiple times where I am scrolling through Facebook and wonder what the heck I'm doing. Wasting time , and filling my mind with unwholesome  content. I have contemplated many times just shutting down the whole account and forgetting about. For some reason iv never actually followed through. In the process the Lord has prodded me to flood  social media with Godly articles , worship music , encouraging quotes , and uplifting content.

On the other hand of hate the Lord has also shown me what a blessing social media can be. Over the past year I have been able to meet people all around the world who have similar passions and interests. Being able to network and make new friends in Africa even before I get there has been amazing. Social media can be used for good.
For example:

 Just the other day I received a message from a good friend and fellow missionary over in Uganda. A friend and Ugandan woman they have been ministering to was serverly burned when she fell onto hot coals after being demon possed. In Uganda if you are disabled or don't look normal to the public they shun you. The way this woman is being shunned is through un-employment. In order to provide for her kids we know she needs work. In a few short minutes we were able to contact multiple ministries,  friends , and hospitals in seach of reconstructive surgery for this precious daughter of God. 

Let's chose daily to use social media to be a light in a dark world. People are watching you whether you feel like it or not . Use your stage to the glory of God. Lets use it meet likeminded people , raise awareness , promote Godly living, and fight against the injustices in the world. 

All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 

So, whether you eat or drink, orwhatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just asI try to please everyone in everything I do,not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10

Big Life Changes for the New Year

The blog has been extra quiet over the holidays!! I was really really sick the entire week before Christmas, which landed me in the hospital dehydrated and suffering from bronchitis. The Lord always works it out with my schedule , as just the time i got sick i had a clear calendar with no pressing responsibilities. I was able to sleep and catch up on much needed rest just in time for Christmas morning. I spent Christmas Eve in bed but was able to muster enough strength to join my entire family Christmas morning and the following day.

Saturday my car was packed and I was off to explore the California Coast, San Francisco, and spend a few days camping in the Sequioa National Forrest. We drove many miles exploring the beautiful state we live in with some very good friends from college. We rung in the New Year around a fire, eating Ramen, drinking wine, and trying to stay alive in 0 degree weather. There is no place I would have rather been then basking in God's creation, looking back on all the year had brought my way and looking forward on all God has in store for 2015. ( We will talk more about that in a little bit, SOOOO EXCITING!!!!) Its such a blessing to still be so closely involved in the lives of sweet friends lives that I met in college and be able to still adventure and share life together. Even though i was not feeling the greatest , still recovering from being so sick it was an awesome week.

Now for the next bit of news. I came home from my road to meet my future brother in law (so weird to even being saying such things). My sister and her fiancé are visiting from Chicago. It has kinda been a mad house as they try to plan a wedding in what seems like a week, before they have to go back to school for the last semester before they get married. Its all new and exciting and i am happy for them. Everyone deserves to find their own great love and coming from the baby sister who swore she would NEVER EVER get married it just goes to show that everything can change when you find the right one. I never ever in my wildest dreams would ever plan for my younger sister to get married before I did , BUT I am couldn't be more content in Gods provision in my own life. The fact that He has taught me to be able to rest and trust in His perfect timing couldn't be more comforting. I LOVE the fact that the Lord is the author of my life story, because I know that He is orchestrating a plan that is so unique and perfect for who I am and what I need. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else or anyone else. The wedding is August 1st and will be here before we know it. 

Soon now we can talk about the best news last!!!!! BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!! I have kept it on the down low for the past 4 months or so as I have been praying, talking and working through some details and plans. As most of you know I was given the incredible opportunity of teaching preschool and ministering in Africa this last summer for 6 weeks. I knew it would rock my socks off but I had no idea all that God would have planned for me because of that trip. God shook my world upside down and around in a few circles and placed a burden on my heart so strong that it denied me the ability to return to "normal" life as I have known it to be. In September of 2015 I will be packing up and moving my life entirely to Africa. The Lord has opened many doors for work and ministry full time there. I never would have seen this as something I would do with my life, but through the work of the Holy Spirit I can't see my life being any other way now. While it is all new and exciting and I can't wait to get back to a country and people that I have fallen in love with, I also realize the struggle that will come with leaving my family, friends , and hometown behind. It will be quite the transition but I am confidant that the Lord is slowly preparing me for all the adventures and new things I will encounter. Everyday life in a 3rd word country is not a walk in the park but I have so much support from family and friends who have been following hard after the Lord, outside their comfort zone for many many years. 

To help me settle and get situated my mom will be joining me for 3-4 months and my dad will also join us for a few weeks in the beginning. As far as the specific work I will be doing their is still in the process of being sorted , I have various avenues of opportunity that I will be pursuing. I have been given the opportunity to use my training in cosmetology to teach business and skill classes to widows. I will also be working with young woman who already have skills in hairdressing but want to open their own salon business. Teaching english as a second language will also be on the agenda as well as working in local slums ministering to young teenagers as they work through unwanted pregnancy and becoming a mother. I am beyond grateful for all the open doors and relationships that have already been established. The Lord has been so gracious in making the way clear as He has called me to this life on the mission field. The support and encouragement from family and friends only makes me more excited. There is still a lot of work to do before we actually get on the plane to fly out and I would so humbly welcome all prayers. All posts and updates will be posted on this site so stay on the look out. As it gets closer I will have more details and specific prayer requests to share. 

As I spend the last several months in the states I am trying to adventure as much as I can and spend as much time as I can with dear friends and family. While the days are long and hard and everything in me wants to jump on a plane tomorrow I know that I will never get this time back so I am not taking it for granted.  2015 has already proven to be an amazing year and I know it will only get better from here. My prayer for this year is that we would be more bold in giving our "Yes" to God. That we would be challenged to draw closer to the Lord more then ever before. That we would not bask in all that we are not but rather on all that Christ is for us. 

O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in Thy presence,
in Thy service, to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
but may rely on Thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth Thy praise,
testify Thy love,
advance Thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with Thee, O Father as my harbor,
Thee, O Son, at my helm,
Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to Thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.

Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear by my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.