Basic Training Graduation...Fort Leanord Wood, MO

Well, as I said before, my dad and I went to Fort Leanord Wood to see my brother Luke, visit graduation.  It was a wonderful time to spend together, although it was hard leaving my brother there for another couple months, it was great to be with him and support him.  We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Cracker Barrel, and then spent some time relaxing and watching football.
My dad and I dropped Luke off at 2100 (9:00pm) and started our drive back to South Dakota to visit family that was visiting for Thanksgiving.
Here are some pictures from the trip.

My Brother and I after the graduation ceremony

The "Bravo Bulldogs" final march together.  Luke is on the far left side.

                                                         So thankful to be together!!!

Long time coming.

So it has been quite awhile.  I have found it hard to write regularly.  Things have been busy and the end of the semester is coming to a close.  I can't believe how fast it has gone.  I am on Thanksgiving break right now and am enjoying my time off.  My dad and I just drove to Fort Leanord Wood, MO to see my brother graduate from basic training in the Army National Guard, and are going to spend Thanksgiving with him.  I am excited to see him and be here to support him.  I know that he is ready to be done, and it will be good to spend some time with him!

Rest...Retreat weekend!!!

Well, this has been such a beautiful and wonderful weekend. On Friday, we had a women's retreat. It was a day of all things girl...spending time together, talking, making journals, chocolate, good food, and time with Jesus.  Here are some fun photos we took during our afternoon free time...

Leaves are Fun!!!

Posing outside the Broadmoor Hotel...

                          We were supposed to look like "The Beatles"

                                                      

                   My friend Kelsey and I making journals!!!

 Myself, Jetta, and Lindsey with Mrs. Ogden (her husband and her founded the institute)

God is Good!!!

God is always revealing himself. He is always working, whether we realize/see it or not. Over this last week I have seen God's faithfulness and provision. He is revealing his heart to me. I am seeing him provide in ways that only He could provide. He is faithful, even when I am faithless. He is continually revealing his character and his nature. I am getting a glimpse of his heart for me and for others. He is revealing to me the value of life, the value of each person I encounter, the value of my life. He knows me perfectly, He knows you perfectly. There is nothing that surprises Him. He knows it all. We cannot hide from His presence. We cannot hide from Him. It amazes me that He knows me so well, yet he still loves me and pursues my heart. He is relentless. His love covers all sin.

I am currently sitting in a coffee shop as I write this. There are people all around me all of different ages, backgrounds, races and color. They all have stories. They all have struggles. They all have a life that is full of value and purpose. I don't know if they have a relationship with the Lord, I don't know what is going on with them, but there is a God who does. He sees each one, and knows their struggles and pains. He knows their joys and good moments. He has placed value in each one of them. He values their Life. He has given each one the freedom to choose Him. He loves them despite what they have done or where they are at. He is in pursuit of them and wants to be in relationship with them.

God loves Each One. Each individual He loves. That just blows my mind, that the God of the universe chooses to Love us, despite our weakness and insecurities, despite our failures. He loves us. He loves you and He loves me. He has given us a choice to choose Him and choose His way. I don't follow Him perfectly and make many mistakes, but I want to live my life completely for Him. I choose Him today. Today I choose to walk in the purpose and plan of God. Today I choose to believe in God's love for me.

Psalm 139

Psalm 139:13-24 (The Message)
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.

Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!
God, I'll never comprehend them!
I couldn't even begin to count them—
any more than I could count the sand of the sea.
Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!
And please, God, do away with wickedness for good!
And you murderers—out of here!—
all the men and women who belittle you, God,
infatuated with cheap god-imitations.
See how I hate those who hate you, God,
see how I loathe all this godless arrogance;
I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred.
Your enemies are my enemies!

Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I'm about;
See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life.

We're All in this together...the film!

Tonight I went to a one night viewing of a documentary film called The I Heart Film: We're All in this together from Hillsong United.  It was all about the church being the church and going outside the four walls.  It was all about showing others what we are called to do as Christians. It was a very well put together film, but more than anything it was a depiction of the heart of God. The church does not exist to meet our needs but the church exists to meet the needs of others



I came away from it not with a warm fuzzy feeling, but with a conviction that I have a part to play in "His Story." A conviction that I can do something.

Jesus didn't die to give us religion, he died to give us love.  The deepest need of one man and one woman is to know who they are and know that their life is valuable.

Brother Lawrence in the film said, "Everybody can talk, talk is cheap." Wow...we can talk all we want until we are blue in the face, but what good is that going to do if it's not put into action.  "You can't talk about love, you have to show love."

There is something that was said by former Catholic archbishop Oscar Romero, and it definately strikes a cord. He says:

"It helps, now and then, to step back
and take the long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of
the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is another way of saying
 that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.

No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the church’s mission.

No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.
 We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything 
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest.We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen."

A Football Game that Gives Hope

A Football Game Gives Hope

I had heard about this last year, and these two teams are playing again this weekend. Grapevine Faith Christian School vs. Gainsville State School. Gainsville is a school for convicted fellons. They have no one to support them or encourage them. The couach for Faith Christian came up with an idea to show the boys on the opposing team that no matter what they have done in life, they are valuable and show them that if you make the right decision people will support you, and you can make it. The coach requested that their team and fans do something out of the ordinary. He had people from their team support and sit on the Gainsville boys side.

These two teams are playing again this week, and I have been told that Grapevine Faith Christian School, has some more things planned for the game.

Watch this news story...It's an amazing example of God's love and seeing the best in others!


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We all have value. We all belong and are made for a purpose. We all want someone to believe in us and see the best in us. This such an example of God's love and encouragement. It is an example of how as Christians we are to come alongside the unloved and unwanted. We are to love like God loved us. We are to forgive like He forgave us.

It is giving others hope! Hope for their future, hope that they can change their lives, hope that they do have a meaning and purpose in live, hope that there is a God who loves them and is on the side lines cheering their name!

HOPE...

Gratitude and Laughter!!!

Well, Mondays...need I say more.

Today was incredibly busy (class from 8:00 am until 4:30pm), 100+ pages of reading, and and 4-5 page paper to write that is due tomorrow. Sitting in class for about 7+ hours can get a little long. We had Gender and Leadership in the morning, and than Dr. Tacketts class this afternoon.

Dr. Tacketts class was very interesting, and he brought about a lot of good points, and questions to ponder. Today we talked about the sphere of labor. After a lot of talk, some of the things that he talked about were that helping the poor just might be tied into this sphere of labor. What if instead of offering the poor handouts, and money, what if we offered them jobs. God has given us creativity, and we can use creativity in helping those in need. He also asked the question, "How far should the state be involved in making laws such as smoking ban, etc."

God is so good, and knows just what we need. Tonight when I got home from class I got a letter from a sweet friend, and someone I admire so much, Lis Walker. She is such an encouragement in my life, and the letter came at just the right time. Thank you Lis for your kind words! You are a blessing!

My roomate Jetta and I then decided to go to Barnes and Noble to study, and write our paper for tomorrows marriage class. After we got back, my roomates and I had such a fun and thought provoking conversation, with lots and lots of laughs. You know the kind of laughter where your belly hurts...that's it! It was definately a fun and memorable night! I am thankful for my roomates, and for God put us all together. We are all different from one another, we all have unique interests, and gifts and talents, but God has put us together for a reason. They are all a blessing in my life!

I am thankful for today! Thankful for God's sovereignty and providence, thankful for friends, thankful for God moving in every detail of my life, thankful for roommates, and thankful for the opportunity to be here at Focus!

Love God, Love People

The I Heart Revolution...LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE

"Where a person lives should not decide whether they live or die." God's heart is for everyone. Every ONE. Every one is someone. Everyone is unique, created by God in HIS image. Every ONE. Every one has value and purpose. The value of our lives is exactly the same. Your life is not more valuable or less valuable than anyone else's.



Matthew 25:35-40
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, i was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sik and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty adn give you a drink? When did we see you a stranger adn invide you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you in prison and go visit you?"
The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

"...it's about a selfless faith...the call to love...the pursuit of justice and helping others...the hope and freedom we have in Christ..and the truth of the gospel in a world that is searching.." - Joel Houston

Philippians 2:1-4
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

We all have value and purpose. God created each one of us. His love is for everyone. My challenge this week is for us to look around at how we can love those around us. Who is in need? How can you and I best show God's love to those around us? It could be in a kind word or note, or maybe someone is in need of food or clothing. It's about the small things, its about the unseen. What has God put on your heart? What is He calling you to do?

God has called each one of us. Whatever he has called you to, whatever you are gifted in, do it with everything you have. God has given you everything you need, to do what He has called you to do. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and allow him to be glorified in everything you do!

LOVE GOD...LOVE PEOPLE

Is God enough?

This past week was a pretty uneventful week. We had Wednesday and Thursday off of class, so I went to class twice this week. It was a much needed restful week, and I honestly don't know where it went. It was so quick.

God is speaking a lot to me, and slowly revealing things. This has honestly been somewhat of a dry season spiritually for me. I am realizing that I don't need another bible study or sermon, or class, but when it all comes down to it, I need Jesus. I am surrounded by God's word, and people who love him. I am involved in Bible Studies, and helping with them, but I come away from it feeling empty and alone. Feeling dry and unmoved. I have a hunger and desire to know God more. To seek him and KNOW, really KNOW him with all of my heart.

Today, I went to church at New Life Church, which is a mega church here in the Colorado Springs area. The message was given by the college and 20 somethings pastor Aaron Stern.
The message series they have been doing is titled, "We are_____________" and they have been going through something to fill in the blank each week. This week it was, "We are OVERCOMERS." We looked at the passage John 16:33, which says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." Aaron talked about how we are overcomers because Jesus overcame the world. We are because of who HE IS. We may not always have an answer, but we do have an anchor for our lives, His name is Jesus. Peace is found in Jesus.

If you look at the book of Job, Job had everything taken from him. He was a man of great faith but He was honest with God. He grieved. But if you look at Job 1:20, Job grieves, and then it says, "he fell to the ground and worshipped." What if our initial reaction was to worship? What if our initial reaction was to come to God? In the midst of the trials, in the midst of the trials, and uncertainties, not because you understand it or necessarily know why, but because you simply have a heart that wants to trust God.

I want to be like Job, that in the midst of trials and difficult circumstances that I stop and turn to God. That I worship him, not because I am thankful or understand, but I want to trust. I worship because I am completely dependent on his faithfulness and his mercy. I worship because I have seen his work in my life, and I trust that he will come through, and that he is strong enough to get me through any and every circumstance. Its okay to question. God is bigger than our questions. God is bigger than our doubts. God is bigger than our fears.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in Spirit

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble

Psalm 23:4
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.

John 17:15
"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."
God doesn't necessarily say that we will never have obstacles or troubles in this life, but he does say that He wil protect us.  He will keep us and secure us, and help us through the difficult times.

2 Corinthians 12:9
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
When I am weak I am strong. God's power is made perfect in my weakness.  I can depend on him. He will hold me together.

Pastor Aaron then asked the question, "Is God enough for you?" If you lost everything, and had nothing left, would God be enough for you. When he asked that question something gripped in my heart. I don't know if God would be enough. I would like to say so, but deep inside, I don't think I can honestly say that God is enough for me. I want Him to be everything, my firm foundation. I want to be satisfied, content in His love.

Jesus, you are enough for me. You gave everything for me, be everything to me. God be enough for me, in my life today!