Wednesday, January 30, 2013

What I'm Loving Wednesday








Optimism and hope are radically different attitudes. Optimism is the expectation that things-the weather, human relationships, the economy, the political situation, and so on-will get better. Hope is the trust that God will fulfill God's promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom. The optimist speaks about concrete changes in the future. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands.


All the great spiritual leaders in history were people of hope. Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Mary, Jesus, Rumi, Gandhi, and Dorothy Day all lived with a promise in their hearts that guided them toward the future without the need to know exactly what it would look like. Let's live with hope.

- Henri Nouwen
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Habakkuk 2:3


The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.
Mark :10-15 (The Message)





Simple Devotions

"by "simple devotion," we mean a designated, devoted time where everything else stops and you lock away with God. we mean daily, private, personal prayer. simple devotion is about seeking God and feasting upon His word. it's about cultivating a relationship behind closed doors. it's about a rhythm of life that revolves around walking with God. it's about answering the radical call."




My adorable nephew always looking out for me  ;)
LOVE him so much!


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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Passions, Dreams, Desires




Here is little randomness on what is going on in my life latley!

My sister sent me this today
Talk about exactly how I am feeling
Life has been one whirl wind of blessings and heart transformation lately 
God has been showing me just how big He is



For one, my best friend had a healthy baby boy!
Everett James Tracy!
She is fulfilling her motherly role amazingly and loving every minute
I cant wait to hold this little guy!



I am LOVING this new band I discovered
All Sons and Daughters



I dont use Twitter that often but when I do I always go to Joyce first
She is one inspirig woman!


Loving my time at home
I seriously can not get enough of my family
My nephew has been a bigger blessing than I ever imagined!
Funny, when you think life could not get any better it does :)  



And lastly, this is where my heart has been for awhile
I never in my wildest imagination thought I would desire to travel so much
I dont just want to travel though
I want to make lasting, life-changing memories
I want to make memories getting dirty in the brokeness of our world
I want to make memories serving others, playing with children
I want to make memories by putting smiles on faces
I want to make memories spreading the Good News of the gospel
Letting the lost know they are loved by THE greatest Shepherd of all time

They are strong
They have a purpose
 They are loved more than they ever know

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 






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Friday, January 25, 2013

Dream it. See it. Write it.

                    
Friday, January 25, 2013


"It is God himself who has made us what we are and 
given us new lives from Christ Jesus; 
and long ages ago he planned that we should 
spend these lives in helping others." (Ephesians 2:10 LB)

God calls you to a service far beyond anything you could ever imagine.

You were put on Earth to make a contribution.
You weren’t created just to consume resources 
— to eat, breath, and take up space. 
God designed you to make a difference with your life.
You were created to add to life on Earth, not just take from it.
God wants you to give something back.

The Bible says, “In our union with Christ Jesus he has 
created us for a life of good deeds, 
which he has already prepared for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10b TEV).

These “good deeds” are your service to the world. 
Whenever you serve others in any way, 
you are actually serving God and fulfilling one of your purposes 
(Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 25:34-45; Ephesians 6:7).

What God told Jeremiah is also true for you: 
Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. 

Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work."
(Jeremiah 1:5a NCV)

When most people think of this "special work," 
hey think of pastors, priests, and professional clergy, 
but God says every member of his family is to minister. 
In the Bible, the words "servant" and "minister" are synonyms, 
as are service and ministry.

If you are a Christian, you are a minister, and 
when you’re serving, you’re ministering.

Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t just immediately 
take us to Heaven the moment we accept his grace?

Why does he leave us in a fallen world?

He leaves us here to fulfill His purposes.
Once you are saved, God intends to use you for His goals.


God has a ministry for you in His Church 
and a mission for you in the world

Dream it
See it
DO it








If you would have told me not even a year ago that 
I was even thinking about going on a mission trip 
to Africa I would have laughed. 
No, not just laughed but told you that is impossible.



Now, I cant even imagine NOT going. 
I have never felt more overwhelmed, joyful, and excited about Gods purpose for my life. 
I don't know where I am going but I know WHO is leading me. 
I dont know how I will get the funds, but I know He will provide.

I know HIS plans never fail
He will provide
He will bless
He will guide
His plans will prevail

Lord, use me for Your glory, Your plan
Show me the way and I will follow
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Learning to Trust



 I know I should trust God
I know I should trust His ultimate plan
I should trust the plan, this journey I am on
 I know this intellectually

But actually living out that trust...
IT IS HARD
How DO I live out trusting Him?
 I am learning constantly
We live in a world that is rigged to distract us
Every day there will be circumstances that do not go our way
There will be trials and temptations



I am weak
I stumble
I doubt
I cry out in frustration
And you know what He says that is ok
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Matt. 11:28

So I will
In my weakness and self doubt
I will fully surrender to Him
I will come to Him
Fully commit my heart and life TRUST Him
Because it doesnt even matter if I stumble
or when I get lost sometimes
or doubt where I am going
or when I think I know the better route
Because His plan will ultimately previal

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21

So why fight Him?
Just let Go Jessie and Let God lead your life
TRUST HIM

Just like a game of basketball, the fundmentals are what get you through to victory
Ok, kinda very cheesy but so true! :)



ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE :)




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Friday, January 18, 2013

It's Your Move

I just got done reading "Love Does" by Bob Goff
You should read this book for many reasons
Many funny, relatable stories about ordinary people, like you and me, doing extrodinary work for God
However, instead going on about each story and how they impacted me specifically
I am going to share just one significant, encouraging, hopeful lesson I took away from Bob
This will forever change my life
Yours too, I hope



....And just because Valentines Day is less than a month away!












Last night was my roommates 27th birthday!
We went to celebrate with some friends in Bellevue at Wild Ginger- WOW! YUMMY! AMAZING!
Happy Bithrday Candice!
I am forever grateful for your friendship and our journey in life together
Thank you for your endless passion to live life, grow, and learn
I admire your heart to serve others and to live a life of helping others
I have no doubt your obedience and heart for baseball will be rewarded
I hear God is a huge baseball fan :)
 I look forward to seeing where God takes you this upcoming year

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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Thursday Thoughts




As the last couple blog post have talked about, I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed with life lately
But not the overwhelming of I -have-no-time-I -am -stressed-help -me-I-am-poor, but more overwhelming sense of I -am -weak -therefore -surrender -your- life -to-the- Lord -so- He-can-guide -you -and -use -you -for- His- greater- glory
Overwhelming Yes, but finally feeling found
(Yes, I am using Amazing Grace lyrics)

Today is one of those mornings where I have so many thoughts going through my mind but dont have the energy or feel I can adequately express myself
So, of couse I headed to PINTEREST to find quotes that can better explain
(Pinterest never fails!)


ENJOY!


















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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

God Wants Followers




 

The Lord has been working in amazing ways in my life lately
Ways in which I find myself with my mouth open in AWE (a lot!) of how He works
I went home again for the weekend and actually took Monday off to get some errands done around Enumclaw, it was also a much needed mental break from the weekend events

Anyway, my sister and I continue to have amazing conversations
We continue to talk and dream about how the Lord is working in our lives and the excitement of those desires
God has continued to show my sister and I that out lives will forever be changed and His greater plans are being prepared


However, we BOTH admitted to being impatient- anxiety ridden because we don't know what the future holds
We know without a doubt where God is calling us but don't know exactly where to take the next step
We have such a desire and getting so excited, longing to do His glory we wonder why it is not happening NOW

We forget His timing is perfect
We forget He is in control every step of the way
He is preparing us each moment, each day for His greater plan

"I think God passes by me a lot, and it serves to show me the direction He is going. We don't always know where He is headed or what to expect along the way, but I think direction is the point, the part, and whole of it. He wants followers, not just onlookers or people taking notes. Plus, I think God knows that if I found out more than just the direction He was going, I would probably try to beat Him there. "
- Bob Goff







This was the topic for the majority of my sister and my conversations this weekend
God continued to show Himself, even from across the world

My sister and I ironically both had a rough week last week
My sister said she received an email from Diahn- the woman who used to live in their house and now lives in Korea teaching with her husband
Diahn's emailed said that the Holy Spirit has placed my sister on her heart and is praying for her
This was just what my sister needed
Amazing how God works, huh?!
My sister in turn emailed her back and said she had a tough week and this was just the emailed she needed

Diahn responded to my sister again yesterday when I was out with my sister for lunch
I know without a doubt God was using Diahn to show my sister and I just how mighty He is
That even from across the world He provides reassurance that He hears us 
He IS guiding us and looking after us even when we dont know where to go



But most if all this email reminded me that 
I don't need to know everything if I am with someone I trust


trust my Lord and Savior with all my heart, soul and mind
It is now time to start living out that faith!




--------------
Our Lord is so amazing, for sure! Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord, for reminding us to pray for friends.
Beth, I've been there. I think it's why the Lord keeps directing me to women of God that put way too much pressure on themselves (oh man, I could be way off here...but, I'm just gonna brain-dump haha)

 Side note...I didn't want to go to this event at church last Saturday, but the Lord wanted me to. Long story short, our pastor's wife was acting distant...not socializing much...and she ended up calling me into an office and literally melted in my arms (I barely know her...new friendship) with very overwhelming feelings of pressure and that she just has so much on her plate. Because of my past I have such a desire to help women not go down that path so I was able to pray with her, help her sort out some thoughts, and take some unnecessary burdens off her shoulders. I knew I wanted to get to know her better...the Lord gave me that desire, cool, huh?

I sense you're trying to make sense of all the Lord has been trying to reveal to you. Let me encourage you to not rush it...to enjoy the Holy Spirit taking the time with you. To literally say out loud, "thank you, thank you, thank you." and maybe not be too quick to try and figure it all out. Remember this is a process and sometimes it's not the plan to reveal something right away even though you know it's coming.

"So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever." 2 Cor. 4:16-18 The Message
In faith you can claim victory and gratefulness for what He is revealing to you. In faith you can thank HIm for it. In faith you can go forward in your day knowing this isn't a rush job...you can ask him to direct your steps moment by moment and he will honor that.

Hope my thoughts aren't too random haha. Please know I care and I hope you can be encouraged as a young wife and momma right this moment. Dear Lord, thank you for Beth and her heart to seek you. Please guide her steps. Please give her a peace that totally comes from you....a peace she can't explain cause it goes against what the world says is peace. Lord, if that means a radical change (according to the world) please show her it's not radical with you...she wants YOU, Lord. Thank you for this peace and wisdom. AMEN.

Love you, sweet sister! Hope I wasn't too far off...if I was, oh well, haha. You're loved!











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Friday, January 11, 2013

Grace Flows Down

 What I learned this week
I have been hearing small "whispers" of God's calling on my life lately
Long story short, it makes me so incredibly happy and at peace just thinking about it
So...God, if you know what I should be doing in life whats the delay!?
I want it to happpen NOW
I am expecting it to happen NOW
 I hear You and I feel You and I am excited so lets get going!

Oh no, no, no
God doesnt work that way
If God gave us everything when WE wanted
When we wanted it
Then we would not need to Trust Him or depend on Him as much
Therefore, this week my lack of trust and anxiety has been high
My faith has been low
Thinking that the circumstances in my life are bigger than God
I am too busy
I have too much going on
I have all these pressing events I need to get done
I stress out because I want everything to be perfect and go just as planned
I read a devotional from a woman this morning and she said EXACTLY how I am feeling:
There were just a lot of little things swarming my thoughts.
 Feelings of inadequacy stinging.
There are so many things I'm responsible for and never enough hours in the day
I do enough to keep things from sinking.
But I just wonder if I'm doing anything well.
I don't think I am ... doing anything well.
The more I focused on these thoughts, the more overpowered I became.
The more overpowered I became, the more withdrawn I felt
Holy cow, talk about hitting the nail on the head
Not a good feeling to be overpowered by these thoughts
However, our God is big, like REALLY big
He knows our exact struggles of this world
He loves
He cares
He takes away
He LOVES me STILL


Throughout this week, by Gods gracious love, grace and faithfulness, I have been able to shift from feeling overpowered to empowered, being reminded that just because I feel this way doesnt make it real
Just because I might feel I am not doing anything well, doesnt make it true
Just because I have weaknesses doesnt make me weak
Gods plan for my life far outweighs the circumctances of my day week
Yes, I have alot to manage
Yes, sometimes things get a little blurry
but that doesnt mean I need to stay in the "blurriness"
it just means I need to rise above the clouds and see all the many places where I can clearly see God (the light) in my life
If I keep running at this rapid pace
If I keep depending on my own strength
I am going to break!



So....what should I do?
(No, it is not writing out a priority list, though I do that quite often!)

Just BE STILL Jessie

In His presence
BE STILL
 Absorb His peace
BE STILL
He is more than enough
BE STILL
Let Him restore you
BE STILL

He is God
Dear Lord, only You can provide all I need to stay the course. Please replenish me with a new attitude as I try to see above my grey clouds today. Help me to refocus my attention to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.









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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Chris Tomlin to the rescue!


Oh...there you are God
Even in the little things

This new song by Chris Tomlin was exactly what I needed to hear today
Refer as to WHY 


Sovereign
By Chris Tomlin

In your everlasting arm
All the pieces of my life
From beginning to the end
I can trust you

In your never failing love
You work everything for good
God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

Sovereign in the mountain
Sovereign on the ocean floor
With me in the calm
With me in the storm

Sovereign in my greatest joy
Sovereign in my deepest cry
With me in the dark
With me at the dawn

In your everlasting arms
All the pieces of my life
From beginning to the end
I can trust you

In your never failing love
You work everything for good
God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

All my hopes
All I need
Held in your hands

All my life
All of me
Held in your hands

All my fears
All my dreams
Held in your hands


In your everlasting arms
All the pieces of my life
From beginning to the end
I can trust you

In your never failing love
You work everything for good
God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

God whatever comes my way
I will trust you
"And we know that in all things God
works for the good for of those who love him,
who have been called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28
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When He feels distant



But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint
Isaiah 40:31

I woke up this morning tired, anxious, worn and weary
I was hoping that during my quiet time this morning I would get totally consumed into the Word and God would give me exactly what I wanted and bring back the peace I long for
Actually, this is exactly what I wanted to hear from God
"Hi Jessie, here you go, let me show you exactly what I have planned for you, moment by moment, so you dont have to trust me or lean on me ever again because now you know the life I have planned for you."
Didnt work out that way- not even close
Where are you Lord!?
And it was not beause I was too busy going over every detail I need to get done today
Or too consumed by going over my meeting with my UTD board from last night
I was also questioning where my life is going
I was also fantasizing about the life I WANT
Seriously, one of the worst quiet times ever- ugh
But here is the thing
I know why I am anxious
I know why I am tired
I know why I felt completely alone
It is funny because more than ever I feel God working in my life for His glory
I feel that He is preparing me for something great and has placed much passion in my heart
Yet here I am this morning still not trusting His ways
Questioning His plan for my life 
Wondering why it is not happening the way I want it
I am depending on my own, weak, insignificant human strength
I am still hoping to see my own plans play out in my life
This morning may not have been the best quiet times
In fact, it was probably the most anxious I have ever been during my time with the Lord
But you know what, they are necessary
Necessary for me to be reminded that life without complete TRUST in God is simply draining
I may not always feel God every quiet time
He may feel distant sometimes
And I wont always have some BIG revelation every quiet time
However, I am always learning something about My God
He is always teaching me something more about His glory
He is helping me grow into a woman who will submit fully to Him
I am constantly reminded why trusting HIM is absolutley necessary in life
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
So, yes this morning was kinda miserable
But His plan for my life is going exactly how it should be
Mine and yours
Trust Him, even through the tiredness, anxiousness, and doubt,
 that His plans will ultimately prevail


Just a good sing I heard on the way to work today
His love never fails and never runs out
Gods LOVE always remains no matter how distant we feel from Him

The light of my life!
He is growing up too fast!
Slow down my Jace man!
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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Seahawk Sunday!

Time with family never fails to bless me

I went to church with my sister this morning
I LOVE going to their church
The worship, the messgae, their church family are all so inspiring
I always leave having cried a little but feeling so inspired

This morning was no exception but that could quite possibly be another post coming
I am still in awe how big how God is and just how truly He knows the desires of our hearts and knows exactly what we need to hear

After church we dropped Jace off at my parents and went on a short jog around her neighborhood
Then we headed back to my parents for a little Seahawks action!


This was his face when I told him the Seahawks were playing today:)

The Seahawks were losing 13-14 at halftime 
I wasnt too worried, with a quarter back like WilsonI knew we could come back!

 I got to play with this little man all halftime!






This beats any halftime entertainment!
Sorry Madonna!



My dad went and picked up my sweet grandpa to watch the game with us
Here he is chilling with baby Jace
My grandpa had some good laughs at how into the game my mom and I were
I cant help it I get nervous!

It sure is fun to root for the Seattle Seahawks
Especially when we have an amazing quarterback who is doing amazing things on and off the field
I could go on and on about Russell Wilson and the good he is doing using his platform to share his faith and do good works- just love when players do that!
I am thankful he is on our "team"- both as a player and person :)

ONTO Atlanta next Sunday!

Go Hawks!




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Saturday, January 5, 2013

God is Love

Yes, this is a super early Valentines Day post but I couldn't help it!
My roommates are gone for a couple days so I had to place to myself
So of course I cleaned, organized, decorated and watched some playoff football!
I am quite the ball of fun :) 

It was time to take down the Christmas deocrations anyway and there is no denying that I love Valentines day!

This holiday means more to me than just decorating with hearts, or having a special someone to buy you presents, bring you roses and take you out to a fancy dinner

Though the hopeless romantic in me does look forward to that someday :)

Valentines Day to me represents Pure, Sweet, Overwhelming, Passionate
 LOVE

All kinds of love that fills our life
Love for family
Love for friends
Love for your significant other

But those love stem from the most important love of all

The all consuming, deeply passionate, never ending, forever forgiving, and always flowing love from our Lord and Savior
God sent His only son to die FOR ALL OF US
Because of what Jesus did on the cross
Because He gave the ultimate sacrifice
He has showed us the truest, most passionate, sweet, pure, overwhelming love of them all

Now that is something to celebrate
 (and to hang red hearts everywhere!)

These are actually glass heart Christmas ornaments I found on sale!




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