{I Can Do ALL Things}

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Clark N Courtney

What fun to see my friends happy and excited to serve the Lord. Last night was an amazing fun filled evening. It started out with a photoshoot...that went badly...and on to a picnic down by the river. The evening was filled with much laughter and random moments. I'm am very blessed.

There was lots of laughter as I was trying to get a good photograph

I love the Dayton skyline

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Spring is one of my favorite times of year. I always kinda wonder if I enjoy spring or summer more. When spring comes around is welcomed in with such open arms. Its all because we have just endured the dreaded WINTER word. Nothing makes me happier then wearing short sleeves, sandals, budding flowers, chirping birds, yummy smells, bright sunshine, windows down with blaring music, happy people, and green grass. Love it when spring comes back to play.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Games

Typically my Dad hates games. Every once in a LONG while we are able to get him to play two games of Sequence. Needless to say it has quickly became a family favorite for this very reason.

I love my family! They will be greatly missed

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Sponsorship

This weekend at the Haiti Benefit Auction, a lot was said about sponsoring children, and different projects. Some of the sponsorship organizations talked about are Compassion International, Save The Children, World Vision and this weekend schools, IFM, Heart of Compassion, and International Fellowship Haven. Every photo of these kiddos makes my heart long to hug them and let them know they are loved. How much more must our Father feel that way when He looks down at each of us needing the love and salvation of His son Jesus. I look at those kiddos and think about their human needs, but the Father, He looks at all of us and sees our ultimate need, a personal relationship with Jesus.

I’ve never though I would be in a position to need sponsorship. After all, I come from a middle class American family. Why would I ever have that kind of need? Well, when faced with the opportunity to attend IGo I quickly realized I had no way of paying for it, and no time to raise the required money. Nevertheless, I was certain that was where God was calling me.

One night I decided He and I needed to have a little chat. God wants to hear what we have to say, and He wants to have to chance to answer back. So, while I was driving I started to talk. I laid it all out there, asking “Why are you calling me here and not providing for me? Why am I so excited about this and have no way to go? Why God, Why?” That night I received no answer and I went to bed feeling discouraged and confused.

God’s mercies are new every morning! I woke up the next day, and I was ready to put hard work into this calling. When God speaks, it’s time to follow no matter what the odds look like. My day was going to be spent researching fundraisers. I have never been okay with flat out asking people for money, and knew that was absolutely not an option for me. Mom and I talked about doing a spaghetti dinner, cleaning, babysitting, bake sale, etc. That all sounded like a grand place to start.

However, God, He had other, more wonderful, something I never would have considered, ideas. He, the most amazing person in my life, provided beyond my wildest expectations. There was a family, who felt God calling them to help me on this journey. (Every time I tell this story tears fall, God is just so faithful!) This family is living out Romans 10:15 by sending me on this journey. In the end it ended up I did need sponsored. My Father in Heaven provided in a way that I never had to ask, I only had to pray.

There are still daily needs, and things that I have to get before I go. God is showing Himself faithful and I know He is going to continue to provide. Please pray for me and my family as everything comes together.

My departure date is April 24^th. I will be gone 7 months, and 24 days. This equals, 34 weeks or 238 days, or 5712 hours, or 342,720 minutes, or 20,563,200 seconds, give or take a few. My arrival date is Dec 17^th.

8ish months is the longest I have ever been away from home. God has been preparing me and my family for this day for the last few years. Every trip I have taken has gotten progressively longer. First I was gone a month, then six weeks, then two point five months, then just under three months, and now 8ish. Just as every other journey He will be present in this one too.

Nursing school is being put on hold right now. Many people keep asking me what I'm going to do after this...I don't know. God has not unfolded that part of His plan yet. I am comfortable waiting on Him to guide me. All my life I have wanted to be a nurse, but if God has something else in mind, well, I choose to follow Him. How exciting to be able to completely trust Him for whatever is next. I'm in for the journey of a life time!!! "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD". ~Isaiah 55:8

Currently I'm finishing up one class at Sinclair. I will be done with it March 22, and what a happy day it will be!!! :) This has not been the most interesting class. Around our house people daily hear me say "I'm going to fail this class from pure, simple BOREDOM". Never fear, I really do have an A. The days I don't have class are spent working for Dad in the shop. Not the most enjoyable job, and I have to work to have a happy attitude about it, but its helping pay for things! I'm so thankful Dad is providing me a place to work before I go. Its hard to find a job when you are gone so much!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Cincinnati

Our amazing Hotel

I love city skylines!

Lovely pose by Carson James

A dear soul offered to take a shot of all of us. Love my family!

Mom and I decided we may face the fire over the SCARY fire escape

Very yummy place to eat. They even offered mac & cheese on their menu. No where does that.

Dear parents

Like father like son

Love this one. I'm going to miss Carson!

Mama and son

Another shot of the bridge and river. It was just breath taking.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Freedom

Life. In one word so many things come to mind. Life is breathing, eating, sleeping, working, and for most of us FREEDOM. Yet, so much more is associated with these letters. What about service, care, love, faith, hope, joy, they are also part of life. Beyond that there is stress, studying, school, family, friends, shopping, sorting, checking off lists, paying bills, packing, exercising, and again FREEDOM.

Last weekend, for the first time, I was truly made aware of what life looks like without freedom. It was heart wrenching, tear jerking, and life changing. We all hear about slavery in school, in the news, and in great literary works. Nevertheless, seeing it displayed in a museum, dedicated to sharing the plight of those once in and still in slavery, gives a whole different look at the tragic, money making industry of human trafficking.

A few weeks back I was told that Mom, Dad, and Carson wanted to take me away for the weekend. They wanted me to come up with a fun way to spend our time. I have always wanted to spend time in Cincinnati down by the river so, to the city we went. After some research I found the Freedom Center. This museum is the most saddening museum I have ever been to. It started with slavery back before the Civil War, and ended with slavery that continues still today.

"There is a spark inside all of us to stop slavery, fan the flame"

FREEDOM CENTER

The eternal flame

The museum is built right across the river where many freedom seekers crossed

This was an amazing quilt like thingy. A lady, who is still alive, made it to represent her families lives in slavery.

She put the Emancipation Proclamation on it, as well as September 11, 2001. It is an amazing work of art.

"DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN"

This is the only slave pen still around. Most of them were demolished after the war. They were called a pen because no one wanted to admit the slaves were human. The slaves were considered animals that were to be exchanged for money. Going inside that building brought tears to my eyes. It was really used to store men, women, and children.

I'm not an art person, but there were some AMAZING works portraying the lives of slaves. This one starts in Africa, and ends in the grave.

The slaves who were granted freedom had to wear these tags saying they were free.

What broke my heart more than anything was the modern day slavery exhibition. Yes, slavery was ghastly before it was Abolished in 1833 (England), and 1865 (USA). However, nothing breaks my heart more then the men, women, children who are still living in bondage. There was a sign that said "the United States is one of the worlds busiest destinations for sex traffickers.

We don't see it, and its all around us

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to tell others about the FREEDOM He offers. Here are just a few verses in the word of God about FREEDOM.

"So if the Son sets you FREE, you will be FREE indeed."

~ John 8:36

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM"

~ 1 Corinthians 3:17

"For you are called to FREEDOM, brothers & sisters. Don't use your FREEDOM as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

~ Galatians 5:13

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim LIBERTY to the CAPTIVES and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at LIBERTY those who are OPPRESSED, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor".

~ Isaiah 6:1-2 & Luke 4:18-19

The way the above verse is lived out is found in Matthew 28:19-20 & Mark 16:14-18

"Go therefore and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

How are the captives going to be set free, the blind given sight, the lost saved, the poor taken the good news, the oppressed given FREEDOM if someone does not GO? How is someone going to go unless they are sent? We all have a part in seeing those in captivity brought to the wonderful thing called FREEDOM. Not just physical freedom, but also the real FREEDOM in JESUS CHRIST!!!!!

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of who they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?”

~Romans 10:14-15a