Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, to all those in the blog-o-sphere! Christmas is a joyous time to celebrate our Savior, to celebrate our families. I hope it has been a day filled with family and loved ones, laughs and giggles, and many wonderful new memories.

I spent Christmas day at work. No one enjoys working the holidays, especially Christmas! But, I was reminded today how hard the holidays are for so many people around us. I watched a little boy cry as he rode the gurney to his room. He only wanted to be at home with his family opening presents. Instead he got needles and respiratory treatments and medicines. Yes, Santa came by and said hello. Yes, we gave him a big bag of gifts. I did my best to make it better but he wasn't home with his family and he wasn't feeling well. It reminded me that although the holidays can be a wonderfully joyous time, it can also be a time full of heartache for so many. In the hustle and bustle of our festivities, let us not forget to show love to those around us who are ill, who have lost loved ones, who are lonely...to show love to those with aching hearts this Christmas.



And I hope in the bustle of today's activity, you had a moment to stop in wonder and amazement that the God of all things came to this earth as a baby with the intent to be the Savior of the world! What a glorious thing to remember and rejoice in! I am so thankful that He loved me enough to be willing to do such a thing as live a life on this earth as a man, knowing full well how His journey would end. I suppose He looked beyond the pain of the cross, knowing that it would bring about the true end...the salvation of our souls! And, as much as He didn't look forward to the cross, He was able to endure it because of His love for us! What a great, immeasurable love we have had bestowed upon us!!

Christmas Cards...to be or not to be?!

This year, I have failed. I have failed to send out Christmas cards! To be perfectly honest, I struggled with what to do for Christmas cards and so I got overwhelmed and just didn't do it! I didn't know if I should send a card with a picture...and if I did that, what picture (or pictures) would I use? Or, maybe I should make cards. But, I ran out of time. Maybe I should send out a Happy New Years card instead. Or maybe I should just buy them in bulk and sign them and mail them. But, then that lacks the personal touch that I prefer. So, I decided that I just didn't have enough Christmas spirit in me to go through with Christmas cards this year. Maybe I'll make it a tradition to be fulfilled only in odd years!! So, I suppose I've just committed myself to sending cards to your mailboxes next year! Be on the look out for your card...in about a year!



In the meantime, I'm really enjoying all the cards everyone is sending me! I love seeing the pictures of the kids growing and hearing about what everyone has been doing for the year 2008! So, even though I am not sending any out this year, I absolutely love the excitement of checking the mailbox every day to see what new cards I've received! So, thank you all for that!! :-)

Although I may be lacking enough Christmas spirit to send out cards, I had enough to get my Christmas tree up earlier this month and to get all my Christmas shopping done yesterday! Woohoo! Now I just need to start the wrapping!

A Look in a Book

"This is the message of the Bible, that God has chosen the weak and the base, the nothing and the things that are not to confound the things that are. All God demands of a man is his availability--to be what man was created to be, the human vehicle of the divine life, inhabited by God for God. That God may be Himself--His size in terms of what you are on earth, in your availability to Him. What you are is totally irrelevant--nationality-wise, money-wise, education-wise, personality-wise, and any other wise, if only you will recognize the principle that it is God that works in you, to will and to do His good pleasure. The only ultimate source of divine activity in all spiritual life is God Himself--'Christ in you the hope of glory' (Col. 1: 27c)."

*The Saving Life of Christ, by Major W. Ian Thomas, p 66-67

For the Beauty of the Earth!

The last few days I've woken up in the morning, praying that the Lord would get me safely to work. It's a well known fact that nurses do not get snow days. Rain, snow, sleet or ice...the show must go on! For me, this means waking up an hour earlier....looking out the window to assess the weather and the roads and then watching the 5 AM news to determine the best route to work. Then, I bundle up (scrubs are not known to be warm and toasty in this wintery, blustery weather!), hop in the car and slip and slide all the way to work!

You would then think that once I arrive to work there would be at least 12 hours of relative calm and normalcy compared with the morning commute! But, no! The madness continues throughout the day! So you might understand how wondrous it was to get safely home last night. I pulled into my snow covered driveway and stepped out of the car. Before I stepped into the toasty warmth of my house to enjoy dinner and a cup of tea, I had to take the trash to the curb for pick up in the morning. Normally when I do this task after dark, I'm petrified...scurrying to grab the trash can, drop it at the curb and run as fast as I can to safety. But last night, there was only peace and quiet. There is just something about snow...all of the sudden everything seems so bright in the night...and so calm and quiet. It was beautiful to just take a moment to enjoy that peace and quiet that seems to have overtaken the city...or at least my neighborhood!

So, in the midst of the busyness of this season, the craziness that ensues with the snowfall, and the madness of life, I hope you take a moment to stop and enjoy the beauty of this earth that the Savior of the world designed and created!

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory!
Isaiah 6:3

For the Beauty of the Earth
by Folliot Pierpoint

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.

For Thy Church, that evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love.

For the martyrs’ crown of light,
For Thy prophets’ eagle eye,
For Thy bold confessors’ might,
For the lips of infancy.

For each perfect gift of Thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven.

Refrain:
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

A Look in a Book

"A Look in a Book." Thanks to Jenica for coming up with the name for my new series of posting various quotes and thoughts from books I'm reading. So, here's my first post as we look forward to many more to come!! I hope to enjoy great discussions with you as we "look in a book" together!

The presence of the living Christ, by His Spirit within you, imparts to you all the things that pertain to life and godliness, all that you need to live a life of righteousness and nobility of character....

...He not only reconciles you to God by His death, but He saves you moment by moment by His life; that is to say, He died not only for what you have done, but He rose again to live in you, to take the place of what you are.

His strength for your weakness!
His wisdom for your folly!
His drive for your drift!
His grace for your greed!
His love for your lust!
His peace for your problems!
His joy for your sorrow!
His plenty for your poverty!

This was God's purpose for His people...He desires that the natural man...might become the spiritual man--filled with the Spirit of Christ, alive unto God as an instrument of righteousness, destined for heaven.

*The Saving Life of Christ, by Major W. Ian Thomas, p 40-41

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

I Love Books!!

I've been reading lots of books lately...in fact, if you ask me how many books I'm reading right now, I don't think I even know! When I've got a moment to read, I just grab the book that's closest to me and pick up where I left off. I've bought so many books, I've run out of bookshelf space! I'm now storing books anywhere I can find a space...in the bedside table, in baskets, in my purse!! Books are everywhere!!

I've also taken up the habit of reading with a pen in hand. I used to be sooo particular about my books...no markings, be careful of the pages, etc. But, no more! I am a reformed reader! I now keep that pen near by and I mark all over the place! I underline, I write in the margins...whatever it takes....I do it!!

In light of this book reading habit I have, I've always got thoughts racing through my head about various posts I'd like to write about to share with all of you in blog-land. But, in my perfectionist ways, I get overwhelmed and never actually write! Sooo, I think I'll just start picking quotes in the books and post them...sometimes I might add a thought or two. Other times I may not. Basically, I want to write some of these quotes down somewhere (I've obviously chosen here for for all of you to join in on the fun!) so that I can remember them because in spite of all the highlighting and underlining, my memory still stinks and I know I won't ever be able to "find" these great quotes again without great searching!!

I need your help...Can you help me come up with a catchy name or acronym for these posts?

Stay tuned....a quote will be coming to a blog near you soon....

Holiday Projects & Home "Improvement"

Yesterday I finished making Kate and Zachy's Christmas presents. I made them each a fleece blanket! Most of you are probably quite proficient at making these blankets but this was my first attempt! So, as I take this moment to take a break from posting about my trip and to bring you a little variety, I'll share a few pictures of the blankies!!

Here is Kate's blanket:

And here is Zachary's blanket...a lot smaller thank Kate's...whoops!


I also have done a little sprucing of my living room area...for those of you who have been in my home, its the front room that has been sorely neglected for the last two years. But, due to some events occurring at my home this last month, the sprucing became a top priority! I bought a sofa table and coffee table that will eventually be moved into my family room. But, for now, they are assisting to make my front room a bit more cozy. Then, I added some throws and pillows (over the comfortable but ugly couch and chair) and some lamps. I snapped these pictures in a hurry a few weeks ago so they don't really rank among the greatest ever..maybe someday I'll give a real tour of my home with pictures that are decent!! Until then...

My living room...



A view from the hallway...



My new sofa table..
There is always room for more TLC but I've already seen my front room used more in the last few weeks than in the entire 2 years I've lived there! Amazing!! And, until I have the time and money to continue with the sprucing project.....

....I'll just kick up my feet and relax...

....feel free to stop in for a spot of tea!!

Belfast: Village Outreach

It has been too long since I've given my blog any TLC. And, I'm sad to realize that I haven't even finished blogging about my trip this summer. But along with some recent changes in my life and the cold weather that keeps me around the house more, I am excited at the prospect of spending more time posting on my blog again! I've missed everyone!! (Hmmm...is that weird? To "miss" people in this blog-o-sphere??) At any rate, I'm back! And, I'm going to start right now by going on about my trip, though I fear there are many details that have been lost in the abyss of my ever-failing memory!
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Our first week was spent primarily with the children but the second week was designed to have a broader reach in The Village. We had passed out fliers the week before with a schedule of events as well as a clear presentation of the gospel. Every day included going to door to door. Anne-Marie and I were only able to participate for one day of the door to door due to our commitment at Eagle's Camp (I'll tell you about the Eagle's in the next post!). I must admit to you, that door to door evangelism is not my forte. In fact, the very idea petrifies me! So, the idea of going to Belfast and participating in a door to door event was definitely out of my comfort zone. But, when I am weak, isn't that when the Lord can work the best? It is when I am weak that I find myself relying more and more on the strength of the Lord, instead of my own strength and I am learning that this is the very best place to be!

Having already passed out the fliers the week before, we had an easy opening when we knocked on doors. We simply asked if they had received the flier and asked if they had a chance to read it. If they had, we asked their thoughts on the gospel presentation. It was a great way to start talking with them. We also made sure to give a personal invitation to the events that were going on that week. Basically, the main goal of this 2 week outreach was to start the process of building relationships with the people of The Village.

One of the streets in The Village where we did "doors"!

I was paired with Jason for door to door. We stopped at the end of our assigned street and took a moment to bow our heads and commit the people in these homes to the Lord, pleading that we would have opportunity to share the Good News and that souls might be saved. Since the Irish brogue was really thick among some of the older folks of Belfast, I asked Jason to get the conversation started and when I understood I promised to jump into the conversation and help out. One of the first doors we knocked on was answered by an older woman. Her eyes were reddened and it was obvious she had been crying. We told her we were from the Broadway Hall and her eyes welled up with tears. She told us that the anniversary of her sons' and husband's death was in the next few days and she was glad to say that one of her son's had professed salvation through a Broadway Hall outreach 40+ years earlier! She was so upset that we invited ourselves in to pray with her and spent a good hour sharing the Word of God with her and committing her to the Lord. It's funny how the Lord used Jason and I that day to reach this woman. I don't know if she's saved but we were able to share the love of Christ with her that day and I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of that! I even dare to say that I actually enjoyed the door to door portion of our trip...in spite of sweaty palms and knocking knees!! It was just another reminder of the important to be available and willing to be used however He chooses and to TRUST Him!

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Wednesday of the week we arrived in town from Eagle's Camp along the northern coast. We arrived just in time to participate in the madness that was also known as the Football Tournament (Or Soccer Tournament for us Americans!) The football tournament was geared towards the youth and we had about 75-80 kids participate. They were of all ages, from 6 or 7 years old to 17 or 18 years! It was great to see so many come out! Obviously, not ALL of them could be on the field at once, so while they waited for their turn to play, we had opportunity to talk with them and share the gospel with them. Afterwards, we passed out sweeties (candies/chocolate) and fizzy drinks (soda pop!) along with a medal, gospel of John and a tract. This was a tough group of kids and Anne-Marie and I had the "privilege" of passing these items out...in the process, the kids got a little rough and eventually just stole all the food from us. We were powerless and so tired from Eagles Camp that we just threw our arms in the air and let them take it!! It was either that or start throwing punches! :-)

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Thursday we had a Senior Citizens Luncheon at the gospel hall. We had tea, sandwiches and some lovely desserts. There was some music provided by some very gifted young ladies as well as a short gospel message. The luncheon was not only a way to share the gospel, but also a way to invite them to the monthly Senior Ladies meetings that are put on by the Broadway Hall. We had about 20 or so turn out! It was neat to be able to sit and talk with these ladies.
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Friday evening we had a family picnic at the local park. We served sandwiches, sweeties, and tea. There was also a short chalk talk given by one of the young men. The whole scene was pretty chaotic and I'm not sure that the chalk talk was the most effective process to utilize but then again, hind sight is 20/20 right!? The fact that this evening came through with only a few confrontations between the attendees was a relief. You see, the area of Belfast that we were in is a Protestant area. There were several Polish families that we had invited as well as a family from Georgia (not the U.S. Georgia!). The people there are not particularly welcoming of the foreigners in the area. They blame them for the increase in crime, they take their jobs, etc. There is definitely hostility. So, as we began to anticipate the attendees, we were concerned that we might have confrontation. But, thanks to the Lord and much prayer, the event was relatively peaceful! Praise the Lord!

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Saturday Anne-Marie and I flew out of Belfast to spend a few days in London so we missed the Teen Picnic at the Broadway Hall. As Claire was driving us to the airport, we commented on the traffic. It wasn't until we reached our hotel at London Heathrow and turned on the BBC that we saw the reason for the traffic. It had been raining a lot...more than usual for N. Ireland. Belfast was experiencing some significant flooding. Anne-Marie and I prayed for the picnic and wondered how the Lord would use this turn of events. We later learned that although the picnic had a small turnout, some of the flooding was on a highway behind the gospel hall. The kids took food, tea and the gospel of Mark and passed them out to the stranded motorists. Not only did the Lord reach others with the gospel (though not the audience WE had targeted!) but the act of kindness shown to the motorists was a shining example. You see, the youth of The Village don't exactly have a great reputation so this small act reflected on The Village as a whole! The Lord loves the people of The Village and He will reach them, perhaps not in the ways that I might expect but His ways are greater than mine! I am so thankful that our God is "not willing that ANY should perish" and that He loves the people of The Village with the greatest love of all!

**P.S. I know I haven't had lots of pictures but the rest of my posts will have MANY pictures! So, stay tuned!!

Belfast: Broadway Hall Holiday Club

It seems as though I've held you in suspense long enough...so, what exactly was I doing in Belfast? Anne Marie and I were there to help some of the local believers with a 2 week outreach they had planned for the area.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes."

Romans 1:16

In case you're not familiar with Northern Ireland...

...here's a map so you can orient yourself to Belfast geographically!

One of the first days we were in Belfast, about 6 of us went "letter boxing"! We passed out about 2,500 fliers announcing the Broadway Gospel Hall Holiday Club that would be going on the next week. We had one little mishap when Anne Marie's lotion exploded in her bag, not only landing some of our fliers in the rubbish but also causing her phone to be rendered useless for several days.

The Holiday Club was being put on by the Broadway Gospel Hall and we met with the kids from ten to noon, Monday through Friday, August 4th-8th. But our day didn't begin at 10 am with the kids. It began at Josh's with a time of prayer, committing the kids to the Lord and asking the Lord to use us to reach them with the truth of the gospel.

After prayer, we would walk to Broadway Hall and get the activities started! Each day we had 40-50 kids, aged 4-12 years old. Set up is quite similar to VBS, where we started with arts/crafts and games. The older kids LOVED playing "football"! I joined in with them a few times and am proud to say that I scored my first goal on kids that could run circles around me!!

As crafts and games were winding down, we would serve snacks. The first day got a bit interesting when one little girl threw up right after the snack. As we were getting her cleaned up a second girl began to throw up...and then number 3...and then number 4....thankfully, it ended with number 4 but I was a little nervous to see so many vomiting in succession! Praise the Lord that none of the team got sick and all the kids came back and enjoyed the rest of the week!!

After snack time, we rounded up the kids to sing and do the verse prior to Yule giving the message. On Monday, we didn't have any music for the singing so I had to step up and play the piano...accompanying for songs I had never heard of! For those of you that know me well, playing the piano is not my favorite thing to do in front of people. Generally when I play my hands go one step beyond shaking...I actually tremble! So, for me, to play songs I wasn't familiar with, in front of people I just met was a huge test for me. I went to Belfast with a plan in my head of what was going to be expected of me. When that plan changed, I had to choose to be willing to allow the Lord to use me in whatever capacity He chose..even if it was to play the piano. And, I will have you know, that our God is faithful and not only did He get me through the piano playing event but I actually was able to enjoy it....a little! And, then we were off to teaching the kids their verses for the week...Heather M. taught them a song to get the Word of God in their hearts!

Our time with the kids was wonderful. We were able to enjoy getting to know them as we worked on crafts or played with them. Anne Marie had plenty of "helpers" to enjoy while she was registering the kids every morning! It was such a blessing to be a part of the Holiday Club and get to know the kids of "The Village".

When Bible Club concluded, we would go back to Josh's to fix lunch, share what had happened with the kids that morning and then spend time in prayer. The afternoons were also busy with various activities. One afternoon, we spent time at the park, playing frisbee and football with the kids, using the opportunity to invite them to Holiday Club as well as to the events planned for the following week.

All in all, it was such a sweet time of fellowship, working together for the sake of the gospel and committing the work that we were doing to the Lord and trusting Him. No matter how much my heart was drawn to those kids, the Lord loves them more than I ever could and He desires that each one of them be saved, that none should be lost.

"The Village"

I was not able to take any pictures of the children (because of rules designed for their safety) so I can't share with you the faces of the children of Belfast that are impressed on my heart. But I miss them and think of them often, praying that they might see the love of Christ shown by those who labor on in The Village for the sake of the gospel!

So, there you have it! A very brief summary of what we did with the Bible Club that first week! I will be back...hopefully sooner than later...to continue to share with you the many more stories that are circling in my head!

"The Team"

Back Row: Kelly, Jason, Sami, Josh, Sean
Front Row: Heather, Sarah, Anne Marie

Coming Soon...

...to a blog near you...more posts about my trip to Ireland! I really haven't forgotten! I promise! Life has been in overdrive since I've gotten home. I got home on Tuesday August 19th and started back to school on Thursday August 21st and then was back to work within a few days of that! I'm presenting a little something about my trip at the discipleship conference (prayers wanted!) so hopefully after preparing that I'll have my thoughts a little more organized and ready to post!

Giant's Causeway

Not to mention I have a ton of various post ideas running through my head and am quite discouraged that I don't seem to have the time to actually put something together that sounds intelligent! Frustrating!! So, here are thoughts I'd like to post about if I ever find the time:

• N. Ireland Adventures Continued: What were we really doing in Belfast?
• N. Ireland Adventures Cont: Eagles Camp!
• N. Ireland/London Adventures: Sightseeing!
• Relying on the grace of God for our salvation and for how we live our lives afterwards!
• Reaching MY neighborhood with the love and good news of Christ: Thinking outside the box to get the gospel out!
  
• MAPIT--A concept to organize change that I'm learning in class. Sounds weird to blog about but I always like organization and this seems to provide step by step processes on how to organize change, specifically in our communities....perhaps I can use this to be creative about dispersing the Good News!!

And, those are just the ones I can remember right now...and for those of you that know me..my memory is not the greatest! Hopefully I'll get to these posts someday.....but, for now, don't hold your breath!

Northern Ireland: The Adventures Begin!

My trip began by flying out of Kansas City into Newark on Wednesday, July 30th and then flew from Newark that night, arriving at London, Heathrow the next morning. I tried to sleep on the flight over since I was told that was the best way to combat jet lag! Despite my great attempts, I didn't sleep all that well...shocking since those seats are so comfortable! :-) Anne Marie and I met up in London and thought we would have ample time to kill in London before catching our flight into Belfast. But, that was not the case. By the time we walked across the airport to the correct terminal and got checked in, it was nearly time to board. We were met at the airport by a familiar face when we got to Belfast...Andrew K. from Wichita! He and Claire took us to our little flat that we would call home for the next 3 weeks. The girls who live there were out of town so we were able to use their place as home base during the duration of our stay!

We had an amazing meal at Claire's that first evening and enjoyed some great conversation, catching up on all of Anne Marie's adventures at Chitokoloki, Zambia! Then we were off to get some rest!

Our first full day was full of great intentions! Andrew said he was going to pick us up, take us to a park, and just go check out Belfast! Well, he picked us up, we went to Subway and then did this...


...while we waited for Andrew to finish his paper for school! We ended up going back to our place, walking to Tesco's (the local grocery store), making dinner and then doing this....


...and this...


...before finally resigning ourselves to going to bed! :-)

So, that's how my trip began! My next post...coming soon to a blog near you...will tell you more about what Anne Marie and I were doing in Belfast!

A "little" project!

On Saturday my parents and I worked on a little house project. I wanted good access to the water spigot and hated walking through the bushes because of my allergies. So, several weeks ago, we pulled out one of the bushes.

The area that needed TLC

And this weekend my parents and I went to work to spruce up the spot to make it a bit more aesthetic on the eyes.

De-weeded but still a long ways to go

Throwing a little dirt around!

WIP: Work in Progress

The finished product!!

Now all I need to add are some flower pots and a hose-winder-upper! I am so thankful for my parents, who are so willing to help me and teach me how to complete these sort of home improvement projects!

Enjoying my...

...new camera!

Small gift from Debby for my 30th!

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because 'All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever.'"

I Peter 1:22-25

Guess what?!

I'm going to Ireland!


A few months ago, I was sitting with Anne Marie at lunch asking her about her travels to Africa last year and she asked if I wanted to go to Ireland with her. I paused and then said, "Yes!" Several weeks later, I asked her about it and she said, "You really want to go?" Sadly, in this day, many of us say we will do something and really mean that we WANT to do it but can't necessarily commit. But, when I agreed to go, I really meant it. You see, I had been praying that the Lord would give me an opportunity to travel, but to travel with a purpose. And, this opportunity was what I had been waiting for. I leave at the end of the month. I'll be meeting Anne Marie in London (on her way back from Zambia) and we'll be flying into Belfast together to spend a few weeks. While there, we will be helping some local assemblies in outreach. We'll be involved in VBS, door to door, and whatever else they have planned for us. We will do some sight seeing, including Giants Causeway (pictured below) and we'll be spending a few days in London on our way home.



http://www.discoverireland.com/us/about-ireland/

Thoughts by Kate Aspen

1. At the chapel picnic a couple of weeks ago, I was helping Kate untangle the strings to the kite she wanted to fly. As I was working on it and she was dancing around, I was talking to her, telling her that it's really hard to fly a kite and even when we get it untangled and even with Aunt Kelly helping, its really hard to fly a kite. Kate then responds by saying,

That's ok, it's good for me to try anyways.

2. The other day, Tanya was on her way with the kids to meet my mom and I at the pool. As they were pulling into the parking lot Kate says,

Kelly loves me sooo much. She loves my WHOLE heart!

That little girl is so right! I love her sooo much...and Zachy too!!

A "Helper"

A thought that has primarily been on my mind for many months is this idea that God created the woman to be a "helper". We find this true when we read Genesis 2:18 when God says "...I will make him a helper comparable to him." Typically, when we think of our role as a "helper" we think of it in the marriage relationship, a woman coming alongside a man in marriage and becoming his partner, his helper in life. I've watched the marriages around me and seen the women coming alongside their husbands, helping them. What an incredibly important and awesome role! But can this role only be experienced in marriage? Am I only able to just wait and hope to some day be able to experience this "helper" role because I am a single woman?

I have a hard time believing that God would wire us to be helpers and yet only allow it to be developed and utilized within the confines of marriage alone. At the same time, I often find it difficult to be creative and think outside the "marriage" box when it comes to being a helper. The other day, I was reflecting on the importance of encouraging and exhorting one another in the Lord and it struck me that this is a way that ALL woman can be helpers.

It may seem odd to think of encouragement/exhortation as a mode of being a helper. But, as I look at a more familiar picture of a "helper" in the marriages around me, I've noticed my friends being helpers to their husbands by encouraging them. Encouraging them to be faithful to their families, to their assemblies, to their God. Encouraging them in their role as fathers, brothers and sons. These "helpers" have recognized wonderful characteristics in their husbands and have encouraged them to continue on in these behaviors as well as recognizing their potential and encouraging them to strive to reach that potential.

Personally, I can think of times in my life where someone saw potential in me that I didn't recognize in myself. They came alongside me and encouraged me to pursue that potential. That is how I want to be to those around me...I want to be in tune, recognizing the potential of those around me and encourage them to pursue it! I want to be the sort of "helper" that can come alongside another with a pure desire, not with manipulative or selfish motives, but to really see others become a more devoted and faithful servant of the Lord. If we all were to seek and encourage unrealized potential in those around us, I wonder how the body of Christ would be changed? Would we see more of our young men becoming Godly leaders and more of our young women becoming Godly helpers?

Whatever the case may be, the Lord has been challenging my heart to seek opportunities to encourage one another in our faith that our "labor may not be in vain." Praying this very thing for each of you today!

"...we sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ...lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and lest our labor might be in vain."

I Thessalonians 3:2-5

**I'd love to hear your thoughts and observations on what it means to be a "helper"!

Ice cream and...hedgehogs?!

Courtesy of Hedgehogcentral.com

Sunday School Picnic

A few weeks ago, Pam and I took the girls to the park for a picnic. It's such a blessing to spend time with each of the girls and to get to know them! Each one of them has a heart of gold and I just love spending time with them! We had stimulating conversation over our burgers about the message we had heard at chapel and how we can be creative in the ways we share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. These girls are amazing and it was such a great afternoon!

THE WHOLE GANG
Back row: Rikki
Middle row: Julie, Bethany
Front Row: Ingrid, Hannah, Michelle

Bethany & Michelle

Michelle & Julie

Michelle, Julie, & Me

Rikki

Rikki, Ingrid & Bethany

Rikki, Ingrid, Bethany & Hannah

Me, Hannah, Rikki & Ingrid

Special thanks to Pam
who tirelessly slaved
over the fire for our burgers!

"The Saving Life of Christ"

'Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." The One who calls you to a life of righteousness is the One who by your consent lives that life of righteousness through you! The One who calls you to minister to the needs of humanity is the One who by your consent ministers to the needs of humanity through you! The One who calls you to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, is the one who by your consent, goes into all the world and preaches the gospel to every creature through you!

If you will but trust Christ, not only for the death He died in order to redeem you, but also for the life that He lives and waits to live through you, the very next stop you take will be a step taken in the very energy and power of God Himself. You will have begun to live a life which is essentially supernatural...You will have become totally dependent upon the life of Christ within you...

**quoted from The Saving Life of Christ, Major W. Ian Thomas

Sometimes I find myself facing defeat...defeat in doing the things I do not want to do and defeat in not doing the very things God has asked me to do. As I look towards some of the upcoming events of the summer, I am wanting to find courage and boldness to proclaim the name of Christ in ways I'm not typically comfortable with, avenues I'm not well versed in. I came across these words in The Saving Life of Christ and realized anew that I am trying to find courage in myself, I am trying to find the strength in myself. I am looking in the wrong place! Where I will find the courage and the strength and the victory is in the life of Christ! He not only died to redeem me but His life saves me to a complete trust and dependence on Him...a trust and dependence for those "little" things like strength and courage and by my consent He will work through me, in spite of my short comings!

Happy Mother's Day!

Today is a day we celebrate the mothers in our lives. I am so thankful for my mother. As I've watched her over the years as mother to Scott and I, and now as grandmother to Kate and Zach, I've seen her continually give of herself, being selfless for the sake of her family. I am so incredibly thankful for the godly example my mother has set forth and hope to be as selfless to the loved ones in my life as she has shown to me. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

To all of you mothers out there...kudos to you for all the hard work you are putting into your children, sitting up with them late at night when they are sick and fussy, cooking their meals each day, doing their laundry, and wiping their noses to name a few. But your most important job as mother is diligently working to grow them up in a way that their lives might honor and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and that they might grow up to be men and women with a passion for the things of God.

As I was looking at verses this morning about mothers, I came across this verse in Isaiah 66 that made me realize how much a mother is a picture of our Lord. "Like a mother comforts her children, so the Lord will comfort you." (Kelly paraphrase!) Wow! I think that verse caught my heart in a special way because last night I longed for my mother, for her loving touch and most of all for her comfort. I don't care how old you get, there are moments in life that nothing soothes like a mother's comfort...and that is a sweet picture of our Savior and the comfort He offers to us.

For this is what the LORD says:
"I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream;
you will nurse and be carried on her arm
and dandled on her knees.

As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."

When you see this, your heart will rejoice
and you will flourish like grass;
the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants,
but his fury will be shown to his foes."

Isaiah 66:12-14

My Tongue?!

Over the last few weeks, I've realized that I am becoming more settled in my new job. One nice thing about a new job and a change is that I can also use the transition to reflect and determine what changes I need to make in myself. One thing that has always bothered me in nursing is the politics, the gossip, talking about others, etc. It's a very common issue in life that we all encounter. When we find ourselves in a conversation that has taken a turn in the direction of gossip, how do we deal with it?

Our tongues are a weapon, dangerous. Our tongues spill careless words that cut to the heart. If I carried a sword with me, I know I would always be aware of where the sword was, who was near it. I would be oh, so careful so that no one would be hurt or injured because of my carelessness. And yet, with my tongue I am thoughtless and unaware of the trail of blood I leave in my wake. I do not want my tongue to be characterized by the following:

1. Destruction & Deceit: "Your tongue devises destruction,Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully." Psalm 52:2

2. Lying: "Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death." Proverbs 21:6

3. Evil: "He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil." Proverbs 17:20

4. Poison: "But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:8

5. Foolishness: "But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. " Psalm 15:2b

So, what should my tongue be characterized by? What are the descriptions of a "good" tongue?

1. Wise & Just: "The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom,And his tongue talks of justice. " Psalm 37:30

2. Tree of Life: "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

3. Promotes Health: "But the tongue of the wise promotes health." Proverbs 12:18b

4. Guarded/Kept from Trouble: "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles." Proverbs 21:23

Wow! I want a tongue that can be described in these terms. What words should be coming forth in order to live according to that characterization?

1. Praise & Righteousness: "And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness, And of Your praise all the day long." Psalm 35:28

2. Kindness: "She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness." Proverbs 31:26

3. God's WORD & Commandments: "My tongue shall speak of Your word,For all Your commandments are righteousness." Psalm 119:172

4. Confessing Jesus Christ: "..and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil 2:11

I want to be characterized on my unit and in my life as someone who does not participate in gossip or other destructive conversations. It's a daily, hourly, minute by minute struggle to use my tongue wisely and to not participate in conversations that are destructive. And, these verses that I've shared have challenged my heart to strive for a tongue that promotes life and health, and shares the kindness of the Lord Jesus to all those around me and ultimately glorifies His name.

Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 24:12-14

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, GO KU!

Last nights game was so exciting! Half the fun was meeting new people today as I waited in line for the better part of an hour for T-shirts. By the time I got to the front of the line, options on sizes and look were minimal. I got the locker room version for my dad and my friend, Kathy:



Then, since classes were canceled due to the big win, I headed down to KU Med Center bookstore to see what they had. Once again options were minimal...as in, one color and thankfully my size! So, here's what I got to commemorate the big win!!

"JAYHAWK BASKETBALL
History repeats itSELF: 1952 1988 2008"

And, this is me, just enjoying the fact that those guys brought off a big win on the court last night and how much fun it was to watch (well, at least fun some of the time...the other times I was doing some yelling and pacing and nail biting and stuff!!)