Wednesday, April 30, 2014

I'm The Kind Of Girl Who...





I'm the kind of girl who(se)...
Needs my cup cups of AdvoCare Spark every day
Can be found singing loudly in the car
Used to be fearful of driving, now it is a sacred time for me
Memorized the lines of The Goonies, 3 Ninjas and Christmas Vacation
Has BIG dreams in my heart and believe they were placed there for a purpose
Would rather have a bouquet of flowers than a new pair of shoes
Cant imagine loving any children more than my nephews Jace and Hudson

Could decorate my whole house in inpsirational quotes and bible verses

Signs up for half marathons but doesnt like running
Always wears athletic gear to the airpot (or anywhere actually)
Had a huge fear of flying and public speaking but starting to love both
Loves superheros- especially Superman
Could watch football all day everyday - Go Seahawks!
Would rather read a good book than watch a movie
Prefers a ponytail than my hair down
Can never pass up a trip to Trader Joes, Target, Chiptole or Starbucks
Loves a good game night with friends and family
Thinks Seattle is the most beautiful city in the world

I'm also the kind of girl who(se)...
Acknowledges our God SO loved the world, that He gave His only son, and whoever
believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life

Believes we have the most loving, creative, and faithful Creator
Wakes up needing to be filled with The Word
Uses the bible as my guide to living my life
Believes that Jesus lived the perfect life, died for our sins and conquered death
Is a sinner saved by Grace
Thinks the most beautiful thing on earth is LOVE
Thankful that He knows the desires of our hearts
Understands that Gods timing is perfect (thank goodness!)
Believes that living a surrendered life for Jesus is the greatest adventure
Thankful the Lord knows me better than I know myself
Believes the best is yet to come!
Lastly, I am the kinda girl who believes the Great Commission was not just for those called 2,000 years ago but a calling for every believer, in every country, in every generation to accept the mission.
Christ is sending us all somewhere for a purpose,
whether in your backyard or halfway around the globe.
Are you ready?


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Monday, April 14, 2014

Ten Years of Comfort


"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"
Psalm 23:4


Gas Works Park, Seattle WA

Ten years 
This park has been a place of peace and comfort for me since I was a freshman at SPU
Ten years ago
Whether it was basketball spring training
A friendly walk with a friend
Or a run after work 

This has been the spot, my place of refuge
I know it is exactly 3 miles to and from SPU
I know there is a small hill to climb to get to the top
 
I knew once I made it up I would see the view
My comfort
When I was at the top every worry faded away
Every battle going on inside me faded away 
I knew I just had to get to the top to see the view

You see, the view never changes
The beauty of the Seattle skyline
The beauty of the sun along lake Union
 Boats on the water, cars cruising along 1-5 
And the famous Space Needle in the background
Never changes, and thats comfortable to me

Ten years 
My comfort I could always count on

Gas Works Park
I remember coming here with a friend my freshman year
A quick run after class
I remember sitting down and looking at the view 
Talking about our future
Where we saw ourselves in one year, five years and beyond
I remember thinking back then..

"This view is amazing. This is comfortable. 
This will be my place of refuge when the world is weighing me down"



 
I sat there today, ten years later
And I still had that same feeling- This is my comfort place
 This place, this view has never let me down
 
One thing in life we can always count on is change 
Thankfully, I am not who I was ten years ago
We grow, we change, we transform
Sometimes change makes us uncomfortable
 
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory,
are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory,
which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
2 Cor. 3:18
 
I know that I may not always be in Seattle to run to my place
I know that I cant just head there when I need comfort

Where can I find comfort?
 
"God is our refuge and strength"
Psalm 46:1
 
No matter what life brings me
No matter where I may end up in my life
My constant source of comfort is in Jesus Christ 
He is my place of refuge and peace

The best part?
I don't have to run 3 miles to find Him
I don't just get Him for 5 minutes while I rest at the top
He is my daily source of comfort 
He is in me, moving within me
Changing me for His glory
And giving me a comfort, no view or place, can provide 

"...Your staff and Your rod, they comfort me"
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Sunday, April 13, 2014

About Time


Oh, I just love the spring time
So, many beautiful flowers outside and the sun if finally coming out in Seattle
Easter coming up!
It doesn't get much prettier Seattle in springtime
(ok, maybe the fall)  

Before I share what I have been up too I want to put on record that I have been actually sitting down and watching The Masters
I never thought I would say that or do that but since Bubba Watson won back in 2012, I have grown into one of his biggest fans. How can you not like a humble, family, Christian man! 
 I always admire athletes using their platform to share Jesus 
As I write this Bubba is in the lead with a good chance to win
Lets go Bubba! 

Anyway, back to my weekend
A little back story, I love country music
I will go to any country concert 
I went to go see Chuck Wicks back in 2009 and loved him
My aunt and uncle are on the board of directors for the Washington State Fair
For the past 4 years I have been begging telling them they need to get Chuck Wicks to come!
Finally, four years later Chuck finally comes to Puyallup!



My friend Lacy and I one our way to see Chuck
Of course we got to Spark up- make sure we have energy and mental focus

Just taking some selfies on our way :)

Of course, we had to sit front and center
He writes all his songs and did not disappoint!


Thankful for my aunt and our time together during these concerts!
If you ever come visit Washington you have to visit The Washington State Fair!





I ended up staying the night down south on Friday night and drove up to Seattle Saturday afternoon
I usually stay home during the weekend, especially since my sister is about to give birth!
But I had to run some errands up in Seattle so I came home
It has been awhile since I have actually stayed in Seattle for the weekend 
The sun was out, light breeze, perfect opportunity to walk to the Greenlake Starbucks
Vanilla steamer, a good book, Chris Tomlin Pandora station
Do you need anything more?



It brings me to this morning
I had to get a long run in for my half training 
Three times around Greenlake is 9 miles
The first mile is always the hardest but eventually found my way around 3 times
Of course, not without stopping to take a picture of this beautiful area
We are sure blessed 

There is so much going on right now in my life
I am seeing God work in my life and my family and friends
I am seeing Gods favor upon me and dreams starting to come into fruition
I am holding onto His promise for my life and letting Him guide me day by day
I cant wait to post some exciting things coming up in the near future
Starting with my new baby nephew coming any day!

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Friday, April 4, 2014

A Night in Paris (or Italy)


Ok, ok, not really in actual Paris, France
Bu with the smell, music and lighting it seemed like we were!
 
Through my job at Seattle Pacific, I meet a lot of students
(one of the best things about my job by far!)
 
Christa, has been a student-worker, turned great friend over the past couple years
She was with me from the beginning when my passion started with childrens charities
She was there with me to visit Memphis for a St. Jude event
She was there when we pulled off the 2nd highest fundrasier in the region for St. Jude
She was there for me when I needed someone to fill in for an athletic event
She has been there for me almost all of my time at SPU
And this past summer I was able to be there for her when she married the man of her dreams
She is just one of many examples of student-workers turning into great relationships
 
On top of being a student and a wife, Christa is an excellent cook!
From someone who can barley boil an egg without complications
I jumped on this opportunity when she asked me to comeover and cook!
Yes, please share with me some of your cooking wisdom
 
So one night last week we opened a bottle of Pellegrino and made gnocchi
(Dont worry, I didnt know what it was either)
 
 
A Night in Paris (or Italy)
 
Cooking by Christa
Photos and taste tester by Jessie
 
Love the white lights she added!

Pandora station "Cafe Paris"






 
 
Christa and her husband Jeffrey

 
 
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Thursday, April 3, 2014

The Dream I Am Working On

 
 Remember when I wrote the dream of going to Africa someday?
I wrote about it HERE in January 2013
And again HERE April 2013

I didnt know who I was going with
Where I was going
Or how I would pay for it

It hasnt been without ups and downs
Plans not going the way I thought
My sister ended up pregnant and cant come
but now my mom is coming and I get another nephew!
Costs were more than we expected
But God found a way to help pay for Africa and more!

And I will tell you....
It has turned out just the way it is supposed to
And better than I imagined
Ephesians 3:20

There will be five women their five daughters going
My mom had everyone over for a dinner to dream more, pray more and attempt to plan
How do you prepare your heart you know will be completely wrecked?
How do you prepare when you know your worldviews will be turned upside down?
How do you prepare for something that is nothing you ever experienced?
You dont
You let God guide you, protect you and transform you
The way He wants

More details to come!
---------------------
 
"Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19


 
 
 
 

 
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow.
It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process
but God, who makes things grow."
1 Cor. 3:6

 
 

 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight
Proverbs 3:5-6
 
 

 
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