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. 

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

Vienna Kate

I really feel like I have the cutest kiddos in my life! Here are some photos I took of my new niece Vienna Kate. 

Dream smile

So sleepy

You can check out Nat's blog at http://thejoysetbeforeus.blogspot.com/

Changing Times

     I walked into Boston Stoker in Englewood just now. Glanced over at two girls talking, and much to my shock was one of my besties from High school. We have had no contact for years. Seeing her got me to thinking about how things change.

     Last time I saw this dear girl I was a confused teenager. Now I'm an adult seeking after the heart of Christ. When we were together I was still trying to understand the call I was feeling. Today, it may be hard but I know what I'm supposed to do with my life. 

     There is nothing I can do to slow time down, and really I would not want to. My time here on earth is so short. Its a tiny dot on a huge line. During this flash of time I get the choose what I do. Who will I choose today? Joshua 24:15 says, "Choose this day whom you will serve". I choose to serve the Lord God Almighty!!!!! 

Tanner Brandt Is Two

      A few weeks back I had the awesome privilege to take Tanners two year photos. It was cold and windy out but we make it work. I don't think I have ever had so much fun taking photos. He did a great job and we got some fun ones. 

He did not want to put the stick down

The self portrait of the day

Prayer Partners

Dear Friend,

     God has been taking me on an amazing journey the last few months. I am so excited to see what He is going to do in 2012!

     Most of my life I have felt a call to serve God on the foreign mission field. I was in nursing school for a year, because I saw it as an open door to the mission field. However, God seems to be calling me in a different direction.

     Starting in April, I am going to be attending IGO. This stands for Institute for Global Opportunities. This will be eight months of rigorous study, coupled with travel to nations in Asia and Europe. IGO is located in Chaing Mia Thailand, so I will be moving half way around the world.

     I can’t go through this program without the prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ. One of the things the staff at IGO encourages students to do is find prayer partners. This means people who will take a day of the week to intercede before the Father for me.

     I’m writing this letter to see if you will consider being one of those people for me. This is a big commitment and I will in no way be hurt if you feel you simply do not have the time. Please email me if this is something you are interested in. My email is breelavy92@gmail.com

In Christ,

Bree

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ~Luke 10:2

Decision...Made

     I have made the decision, decided to take the leap. What a journey it has been getting to this point of surrender to the will of my Father in heaven. This is not to say that there are not still parts of my life that are unsurrendered...because there are, nor does it mean I have it all together, and figured out. In fact...I really have nothing figured out at all. Except that I am ready and willing to follow after my Abba Father.
     Some people may call me crazy, and others say its an easy road out. However, this has been the hardest and most difficult time of my life. When God calls us to do things that are out of the norm, its hard. When I'm in the middle of my nursing education and its being put on hold, its hard. When God is blessing me with another niece or nephew and I know I'm leaving that behind, its hard. Friends who will move on with life and make wonderful memories with out me is hard. Though this is all difficult, God is providing and showing me His wonderful faithfulness each day.
     God does not call us to be simple American Christians who have it all figured out. He wants us to be needy of Him every day, in every way. Living a radical life for Christ is shown all through out the bible. Why do I think its going to be an easy, asphalt paved way. He tells us in His word that people are going to hate us, kill us, persecute us, if we follow Him. So many times we forget those verses and focus on how God will bless us. He does blesses us for our faithfulness. I'm so thankful that God has abundantly showered His blessings upon my life. However, I also know I can't used Jesus as a vending machine to just give me blessings. Being a Christ follower is about so much more.
     What I am choosing to do is not for everyone. I believe that the great commission "And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."is a command and for all of us. While I say that, I feel like God calls us all to different places to live that out. Some of us go to foreign lands, but some need to stay and live it out here on America soil. This chapter in Mark goes on to say that whoever does not believe will be condemned. Its my job to tell others the truth so they can have the free gift of Salvation God has given me.
     A few months ago I posted about a school in Thailand, called IGo. I was asking for your prayers as I prayerfully, considered attending. God has completely shown me that His will is for me to leave in April and be gone until December. This means that I will be attending classes at IGo for 8 months. Exactly what these eight months are going to look like is unknown. What I do know is that I will be taking classes on Theology, Cultural Anthropology, World Religions, Growth in Christ, History of Missions, Christian Family, Principles of Teaching, Local Church Evangelism, TESOL, and Bible classes.
     I am excited beyond what I am capable of putting into words. It looks big and challenging, but I am so ready! Please pray for me in the coming months as I prepare, and as I go that God will continue to show me His unending faithfulness, and grace. Also, pray for my family as I leave. I'm not sure if its going to be harder on them or on me! :) If you are interested in being a weekly prayer partner please send me an email at breelavy92@gmail.com. 
~Deciding to follow Jesus,
Bree