encourage

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'today', so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13

Soo...I share that verse because this week Juli and the girls taught me what a gift encouragement really is. At UMA Bible study, Juli was talking to them about this verse and then had them practice by giving me encouragement 'gifts' for my birthday. They went around one by one and shared something they liked about me or an experience that we had together. Juli sent me everything they said and I couldn't help but want to brag on what awesome little girls I have in my life!

Early Street Encouragement....Happy 29th Birthday from all of us!!

Princess: I like hanging out with you. When you took me to the art place for my birthday, that was fun. and I love you.

Tia: reeeeally pretty. I don't know why you're still single. I like seeing you at Mrs. B's house every week. I like your hair and dimples

Jadia: I like everything about Miss Marissa

Pearl: I like you a lot

Jade: I like every time you come and I love you very very much!

Keri: you're pretty

Nay: I like your hairstyles. I like how you help us at Mrs. Bourdon's

Aniya: she's a good friend. She's really tall. She's smooth. Good clothes...and BIG announcement later, "her teeth are shiny"

Kelsey: when she made me chicken soup when I was sick. She is really thoughtful

Shavia: I like the way you are. You're very pretty

Demi: you're so sweet and so nice. That's why everyone loves you & I love your "pimples" (dimples) ;)

D: you're nice and pretty and when you came to visit me at lunch.

Najala: you got me out of lock down lunch. I like your face

Rachel: your heart is full of pure goodness. And you'll travel to any extent to help someone.

China: shirts, clothes, hairstyles, you look pretty

Ameria: you're kind & pretty & smart & always want to help someone

Bre: kindest hearted person I know. So helpful

Juli Ann: what Jadia said, and a heart of gold. You act on what your heart breaks for, you don't just talk about helping people, you do it

I still laugh every time I read this!

Valentine's UMA style

If the only reason God has me single right now was to share that with our UMA girls tonight... then I am so grateful. I hate talking about myself but to see 18 beautiful faces look up at me as I made a few earth shattering announcements: no, I am not married, I do not have a boyfriend and, I didn't have my first boyfriend until I was 26 years old... their reactions made me laugh :) Juli and I have already talked about how we dream of all of them being at my wedding someday. Not to watch me, but having known me single and just being able to witness Gods design for marriage.

We held a Valentine's party for them and spent the evening sharing the difference in the kind of life they are used to, and the kind of life they deserve because of how special they are to Jesus. I pray that each of their precious hearts felt the love of Jesus that will never forsake them.

picture taken by my friend, Bre, at our valentine's party!

But I'm not ready!

There are a thousand ways to magnify Christ in life and death. None should be scorned. All are important. But none makes the worth of Christ shine more brightly than sacrificial love for other people in the name of Jesus. If Christ is so valuable that the hope of His immediate and eternal fellowship after death frees us from the self-serving fear of dying and enables us to lay down our lives for the good of others, such love magnifies the glory of Christ like nothing else in the world. 

This is a quote by John Piper in his recently released book, "Risk is Right". I've downloaded a copy because it's free but I hate reading long things on my computer, so I haven't gotten very far, but that quote has stuck with me. God's been speaking to me in a way lately that I've never heard before, or never listened before. He's molding my heart to be more like His and I have done nothing on my own except to finally be willing. To finally commit to setting aside the prideful ways of my heart, seek where He is, and follow. It's not the easiest but He makes is worth while. It's not the most fun, but He promises joy and fulfillment. I've become more and more aware of the control that a 'self-serving fear of dying' can have on me. That fear is exactly where the Enemy wants me because I am incapable of doing anything for God's Kingdom when God is not my banner going into this war.

One thing I've been taught in my Bible study recently is that when God calls people to an assignment, He's not calling us because we already have the perfect skill-set for the job, He just wants obedience. Look at Abraham, Moses, and Saul (Paul); my favorite examples. Moses wasn't a professional desert tour guide and he hadn't taken public speaking classes in school. Abraham hadn't fathered a nation before, in fact, he'd messed up even becoming a father in the first place. And Paul, I couldn't think of anyone more opposite to send to the Gentiles. But God still called each of them to do great things for Him. Moses wasn't crazy about the idea but he obeyed and helped release the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, Abraham left when God said 'leave', and Saul basically became an entirely new person once God gave him a task to do.

I know what God's calling me to do and I've known from the start that I wasn't ready for it. Even the things that I thought I might be ready for, He proved me wrong! Suddenly that calling is taking a slightly new turn and all I want to do sometimes is scream, "I'M NOT READY FOR THIS!" There is that old saying, "If He's brought you to it, He'll bring you through it" I can trust Him to prepare me for what lies ahead, I can lean on Him every step of the way. I can humble my heart and let Him lead and watch Him do great and wonderful things.

The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. 

3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. 

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. 

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lordforever.

january

well we are nearing the end of january, 2013... the gym is already only half as full as it was two weeks ago, my intestines are still feeling a bit violated from my first colonoscopy last week, my 29th birthday is a month from this friday, i leave for hawaii a month from this saturday, i was bored and once again cut myself some bangs this morning, uma bible studies are back in gear, and i am currently working on two big craft projects:

BEFORE: reading chair re-upholstery (the seat cushion and footrest have already been recovered by previous owner)

BEFORE: TV cabinet re-do.

i'll update with after pictures as soon as they are completed! i will say one thing, the chair is about 50% complete and it has been an absolute beast of a project. mainly because it is a recliner, but also because it's upholstery and i think it's supposed to be a pain in the rear. my friend keely is helping me with this project and i definitely couldn't do it without her! 

birthday trip 2013

yes, i've booked a ticket to Hawaii to see my sister! she lives on the island of Kauai and i couldn't be more excited to visit! i've attached a couple of her instagrams for your viewing pleasure :)