a word of thanks and a request

Today we drove by a dad waiting for his daughter to get off the school bus. It was probably 30 degrees outside with upwards of 40mph wind gusts and he stood there waiting. Waiting for her. I do not know how much appreciation that little girl showed to her daddy today but it made me want to say 'thank you'. I am so thankful for the loving parents in this world. Every child deserves countless hugs each day and a welcoming lap to read them their favorite story. Every child deserves a parent who teaches them right from wrong or knows whether they prefer vanilla or superman ice cream. Tears are rolling down my face as I consider these thoughts, not only out of thankfulness for the loving parents out there, but because of the children I know who aren't loved, who will grow up never knowing the love they deserve. The children I wish I was holding in my arms right now. Pray for these kids with me, pray for these parents. I know Jesus is the only answer... so while we wait to see what He will do, maybe we can be praying that we will be His loving arms to the children around us. He loves them more than I ever could, His heart is broken for them more than mine can.

i'm baaaaaaack

i realize it's been over a month since i've last posted and i'm secretly hoping you've missed me. i'll go ahead and assume that you have, you don't have to tell me. 

i have definitely had a lot on my mind over the past month that i hope to hash out a little in a post or two so you can be anxiously awaiting those. for now i wanted to share a few shots from a photo shoot i was able to do this past weekend. Raven and Malia are two beautiful sisters whom i am grateful to call 'friends'. they both have a birthday this month so as a gift, Juli asked if i could take a few pictures of them to print out. 

prayer

my prayer for us all on this beautiful monday morning is something i take from a bio i read on a 'kisses from katie' blogpost.

may we exhaust ourselves with helping others today and this week.

already all I need

A friend posted a video of this song of worship onto her CaringBridge site and what a great reminder that God has never and will never leave us. A little 'crumb' of encouragement. 

Already all I need

------

Asking where You are Lord, wondering where You've been

Is like standing in a hurricane trying to find the wind

And hoping for Your mercy to meet me where I am 

Is forgetting that your thoughts for me outnumber the sand.

You filled the sun with morning light

You bid the moon to lead the night

You clothe the lilies bright and beautiful.

You're already all I need

Already everything that I could hope for 

You're already all I need

You've already set me free, already making me more like you

You're already all I need

Jesus, You're already all I need.

Walking through this life without your freedom in my heart

Is like holding onto shackles, that You have torn apart

So remind me of your promises and all that You have done

In this world I will have trouble, but You have overcome

And every gift that I receive, You determine just for me

But nothing I desire compares to You

{Chorus}

In your fullness, You're my all in all

And in your healing, I'm forever made whole

And in your freedom, Your love overflows and carries me

You carry me, yes You carry me, You carry me

{Chorus}

defining disciple

dis·ci·ple  noun \di-ˈsī-pəl\

November 2012 cover.

"Nigeria's Red Letter Bible"

The blood-spattered Bible on the cover of this newsletter is a graphic symbol of what it means to be a Christian in northern Nigeria. The Bible was retrieved from the Deeper Life Church in Gombe state after a Jan. 5, 2012, attack by Boko Haram militants. Church leader Chenma Ngwaba was speaking during a Thursday evening prayer meeting when three 

young extremists suddenly began firing weapons through the church window. "They were shooting everybody there," said Chenma, who lost his wife and 10-year-old son that night. Chenma's six-month-old daughter survived, but eight other believers were killed, and more than 20 were injured.

Despite horrific attacks like these, courageous believers at the Gombe church and others throughout Nigeria refuse to give in to fear. "Christians are not discouraged," said Rev. Dr. Soja Bewarang, president of the Church of Christ in Nigeria. "We believe the scripture that Jesus told us, that if they persecuted him they will do the same to us. We are not discouraged, but rather our faith on a daily basis has been increased."