Thanksgiving Pictures

Carson and I, I love this kid!

Aubrey, Chelsey and I

I love this picture of Carson!

Summer

Some pictures from this summer.

My cousins, Aubrey and Chelsey

Chelsey and Piper at the park

Piper swinging

I love summer.

I am not looking forward to winter!

Piper Laughing

Sorry, you have to watch it sideways. Taylor was playing with an umbrella. Piper thought it was funny.

Small Group Harvest Party

Last Saturday my small group had a harvest party. Pictures...

Erika
Me and Emmy

Hannah and Emily dipping their toes
Regan's Pumpkin Smile
Emmy

My Pumpkin
Erika and Jacqui Han and I
Hannah and EmilyMe and Emily
Me and Regan
Regan's Pumpkin
Hannah and I
Me, Jacqui, Erika, Emily, Regan, and Hannah

Slavery

Just a few insights I gained concerning being a slave of Christ.

1) Bishop Polycarp's persecutor told him that if he would revoke his faith, he would be released. His response (paraphrased) was that for 86 years he had served Christ, and Christ had done him no wrong. Why should he now deny his Master?

WOW!

2) The paradoxical relationship of being free in Christ, and yet enslaved to Him. Most people are not particularly excited about becoming enslaved to anyone. The word "slave" carries with it several negative connotations, mainly because of the horrors of the past slavery in America, and not overlooking the desperate situation of present day slaves(i.e. Sudan, and human trafficking). There are two things that a slave desires, the first of which is gaining freedom. The second best thing is to have a good master. In our relationship with Christ, however, the ultimate is having a good Master who loves us perfectly and has our best in mind. Because of this, our heart's desire should be to serve Him with all of our being, to trust Him for all things, and to surrender our blood-bought lives wholly to Him.

He is a good Master, and He does all things well!

2007 Desiring God National Conference

A bit late, but a few of my highlights from the DG National Conference


1) Registering people and giving them their nametags, I so want to do it again next year.
2) Walking (running, really) around the Convention Center sock-footed.
3) Eating mints from the information desk, they were great!
4) Worship, it's incredible being apart of thousands of Christians praising the King.
5) Hearing Helen Roseveare say "Jesus", she said it with such deep affection.
6) Spending time with Hannah, Emily, Bethany, Katie, Andrea and Steph.
7) Meeting Randy Alcorn and getting a picture of him with Piper.

There were many more, but these were my happiest!

I also would like to say that I cannot ever remember being as exhausted at the end of a day than I was Friday night! Taylor and I volunteered for about 12 hours packaging gift bags, restocking materials, and registering attendees. It was so much fun, but my entire body ached by the end of the day!

Hannah

Some pictures with Hannah. She can do the Piper smile too!

Piper in a Basket

Piper saw me with the camera and at first she's doing her smile face, then she's pretending she's pushing the shutter button.

She didn't think it was as much fun this time!

Smile!

So, this is Piper's "smile" face... yeah.

This is her normal smile.

Hurricane Dean

Only a week after I return from Jamaica and a hurricane is rushing toward the small island. I've spent the last few days asking the Lord for His protection on the people we stayed with in Montego Bay, and also on Michelle and the children at Robin's Nest.

Everytime I heard "hurricane Dean" I thought of Dean, and how I wanted to hold him because he didn't have a mom to hold him when he was scared.

Throughout the weekend, I have received several update emails from the leader of our missions team. The only damage done to the Nest was a tree falling on the fence. Everyone is so grateful for God's protection during this storm!

My Babies in Jamaica

This is Dean. He's five years old. I spent a lot of time playing with him. Dean is so full of joy and loves to sing and dance.

This is Shammoy, he is 9 months old. He is a very content baby.

Enoch is 1 1/2 years old. He loves attention, and, of course, I didn't mind giving it to him.

This is Ian. He is also five years old. Ian is eating a Guava in this picture. His twin sister and 3 year old sister are also at the nest. Ian has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the terrible things his young eyes have witnessed.

These are just four of the sweet, beautiful Jamaican children at the nest.

A few of my highlights were:

1) Meeting precious Tamara whom I have been praying for since February.

2) Listening to 8 year old Gabriel sing. I have never heard a more pure and beautiful voice!

3) Rocking 3 babies to sleep on Thursday morning.

4) Seeing the love these children have for each other.

5) Experiencing the joy all of the children have, demonstrated by dancing and singing to Jesus.

6) Walking into the room, and seeing Ion (who has CP) light up with the most beautiful and contagious smile.

7) Playing spoons with the team.

8) Riding the bus up to the nest, at the very top of a Jamaican mountain, everyday.

9) Swimming at Glistening Waters.

A few of the harder things on the trip were:

1) Getting used to the heat and humidity

2) Having to do concrete work most of Tuesday and Wednesday.

3) Being completely worn out by 1:00, and then working your tail off until 7:00.

4) By far the hardest part of the trip was leaving the kids on Thursday afternoon, and knowing that I was going back to America, and that some of them would never know a real family.

A huge blessing on this trip was that everyone got along perfectly. There were no conflicts, whatsoever.

After leaving the nest on Thursday afternoon, our bus driver, Chris, gave us a tour of the "real" Jamaica. While riding through the slums, Courtney commented that all of this injustice will one day be made right. That tour is one of the things I will remember most vividly about Jamaica.

Jamaica Missions Trip

Hey everyone! On August 4th, I will be leaving for Montego Bay, Jamaica, where I will be working in an orphanage called Robin's Nest.

I am very excited for this trip, and, by the Lord's grace, not at all nervous.

Would you please pray that the Lord would bless the ministry of my team as we encourage the people of Jamaica.

More when I return...

If you would like to know more about The Robin's Nest, visit: http://www.robinsnestchildrenshome.org/

Ice Cream

Today is National Ice Cream Day! Everybody celebrate! I am very happy because 1) ice cream is one of my favorite foods, 2) we have cookie dough and carmel fudge brownie ice cream in our freezer, 3) this being national ice cream day, large helpings are practically imperative.

The Glory of the Lamb

I love this song by Sovereign Grace:


A day is coming, coming soon
When we shall see your face
And how our hearts are yearning for
That outpouring of grace
When You take all the galaxies
And roll them up like a scroll
When You make heaven and earth anew
And eternity unfolds

Then the glory of the lamb will be
All the we have longed to see
And we'll praise Your splendor
Majesty and might
There will be no darkness, be no night
We won't need the sun or moon to shine
For the glory of the Lamb will be our light

Although we see but dimly now
Our hearts are filled with love
For we have tasted and have seen
How good Your are, O God
We know that our redeemer lives
And someday You'll return
And we shall see you with our eyes
O how our hearts do burn

Then the glory of the lamb will be
All the we have longed to see
And we'll praise Your splendor
Majesty and might
There will be no darkness, be no night
We won't need the sun or moon to shine
For the glory of the Lamb will be our light

The Cabin

My 3 year old cousin, Kate.

While watching fireworks, Kate said that the people shooting them off were trying to kill the sun. She also waited patiently 'til, near the end, she finally saw a yellow one.


My 5 year old cousin, Carson

One of Carson's favorite things to do at the cabin is the mini golf course, which he calls the kid golf. Every hole, he would go before me and show me how to get the ball in "the special hole".

These pictures were taken on our vacation at the cabin over the 4th of July.


Many other exciting aspects of being at he cabin included the day on the pontoon (mild sunburn), driving golf carts, and late night bonfires.

The Creed of a Bold Jesus Follower

We were given this creed at a summer retreat a few weeks ago. I was really challenged and encouraged by it, I hope you will be, too.

(writen by a young African who was martyred for his faith)

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made -- I'm a disciple of Christ!

I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure!

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talk, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

My face is set, my course is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till everyong knows, work till He stops me and when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.

With this knid of resolve we will, with God's help, have strength to survive against our cultural stream, or perhaps even reverse it. Of course, we are a minority, but armed with the promises of God we can have spiritual impact that is greater than our numbers might suggest.

It may come down to this question: Are you willing to pay the price?"

Don't Let me Lose My Wonder

This is a song writen by the Getty's, I love it!

I've seen days melt into nights in circles of lights,
I've watched a spider spin a star between the window box flowers,
I've heard you laugh and cry in a single sigh,
And a story form within.

(Chorus)
Don't let me lose my wonder,
Don't let me lose my wonder.

I saw her broken dreams inside but helping others fly,
I saw his eyes without a doubt though other lights faded out,
And though her calling roared, such graciousness poured
From the vision of her soul.

(Chorus)

A baby cried through the dark beneath a jeweled spark,
I knew Your voice upon the hill and heard my lostness still,
I found my home in the light where wrong was made right
And You rose as the morning star.

Summer is here!

It's really hot in Minnesota today! Today Dad put in our air conditioner! It's amazing! Don't get me wrong, I love summer, but the stuffiness of a second floor apartment can be quite uncomfortable. (My dog is laying on my bed, panting).

I will have to learn to get used to the heat... I will be in Jamaica in August. I've been told that the heat isn't so bad because it is up on a mountain. And, there is a swimming pool, which will be amazing because we are supposed to conserve water. That will be hard cause I really like to be clean:)

The reason for the trip is to help in an orphanage of almost 30 children. The children range from infant to 12 yrs. We will be there from August 3-10. I have been very encouraged because I already have all the money for the trip!

Music

I love to sing. I sing all of the time. I especially like to sing music that gives honor to the King! I find it amazing that the God of the universe, who created the world by the power of His voice, has given us the ability to sing and enjoy music. And who else is there more deserving of our songs than Christ?

I have been very blessed by the worship at my church, Bethlehem Baptist. The music we sing in each service is so biblical and causes me to stand in awe of the King!

I have really enjoyed Sovereign Grace's music as well as that of Keith and Kristyn Getty. Their music is so saturated with Scripture and theology. (We sing the songs writen by these people on a regular basis at Bethlehem).

Friday!

So, I got my permit today. It was pretty exciting. I only drove half of a block, and that was so I could drive up while my Dad was working nearby.

I also got a digital camera. It's really cool, I'm still trying to figure it all out...

My mom and Piper and I went shopping for coordinating clothes for our family picture we are taking tomorrow. It took a long time but we got it all figured out!

I started watching Emma, by Jane Austen, tonight. The vocabulary is amazing. I love it!

Hope in What???

Today I created a page on Buddhism for my China portfolio. This is what I wrote in my "personal thoughts" section:
"Visiting a Buddhist temple was extremely eye-openning for me. Seeing all of the people bowing down and worshipping a clearly man-made idol was so sad. They have no hope. Their only fighting chance for "salvation" and "heaven" is to offer sacrifices and worship an idol who can do absolutely nothing for them.

"Those who lavish gold from the purse and weigh, out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship! They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it d oes not answer, or save him from his trouble." (Isaiah 46:6-7)

There seemed to be a presence of evil surrounding the temple. Because these people were not worshipping God, they were indirectly worshipping the evil one. How frightening for them! Not only do they not have any hope, their souls are in bondage to the devil."

Praise God that He is our hope!

I read a verse this morning about hope that I really liked:
"...we are His house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope." (Hebrews 3:6)
We are His house if we continue boasting in our hope, Jesus Christ.

Pride Problem

Pride is one of my biggest struggles, and probably one of the biggest for many Christians. As new creations, we most likely do not struggle with the sins of murder, lying, stealing, etc. We tend to struggle more with inner sins, (such as pride, envy, conceit, discontentment, etc.). I am a perfectionist, and so I try to do everything right and make everyone happy. I can get so wrapped up in feeling that I'm doing pretty well, that I almost forget my desperate need for Jesus. At a recent spirtual disciplines retreat with my church, I had this awesome realization. Jesus was perfect in my place so I don't have to be! That is absolutely amazing! Of course, in our striving to become more like Christ, we are aiming towards perfection, yet we will never achieve it until we are made perfect in Heaven.

Another way I see pride in my life is in my prayers. This may seem odd, but let me explain. Often, when I am praying for forgiveness or other people, I close, and then think to myself, "That was a good prayer."

A few verses that are helpful in battling pride are Proverbs 16:18, and 29:23.

Do you honor Christ with ALL of your words?

So, my mom and I had a conversation today with a college student. In her sophomore year, she and her friends were having a conversation about abortion. One of her friends, a Christian guy she knew from church, was asked what he thought about the matter. He said that if his wife/girlfriend wanted to get an abortion he wouldn't like it, but would let her do whatever she wanted. She couldn't believe that this guy did not have convictions that lined up with the faith he professed.

By not taking a stand for the unborn, this professing Christian had maligned the name of Christ. If we profess the name of Christ, we need to live lives that honor it. We nust take so seriously every idle word that slips through our lips because we will give an accout to God (Romans 14:12).

As well as our words, our actions speak loudly to all. By professing Christianity, people will watch to see if our words, and actions, glorify the Lord or not.

About the Title

A few resons for the title. First, a song called "Hear the Call of the Kingdom" by Keith & Kristyn Getty says this:
Hear the call of the kingdom;
lift your eyes to the King;
let His song rise within you as a fragrant offering
of how God rich in mercy
came in Christ to redeem
all who trust in His unfailing grace.

And secondly, Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.