Wow. I apologize for my lack of writing! I can’t believe I’ve been here for over 2 weeks and literally haven’t had a minute to spare. But now it’s break week! Let me clarify- it’s a break from Americans, not from work! Now is the time to catch up on all the emails and other work I’ve had to neglect since getting here.
It would take entirely way too long to recap every single thing I’ve done or seen here so let me just give you an impactful moment.
One Thursday I got the opportunity to supervise a couple groups going into the compound of Kanyama 2. The Kanyamas are some of the roughest areas we work in. We had a younger group of girls about the age of 7 and an older group of girls around 13-14. They were the sweetest things EVER. By the end of the day some of the older girls were calling me their best friend and jumping all over me and hugging me. We picked weeds in the Community Resource Center (CRC) and then walked around evangelizing to the people who lived around the CRC. As we were leaving Kanyama 2, we took some back roads to avoid traffic on the main ones and we went through an area that is the roughest in Lusaka. It’s so horrible that the police won’t even go there. Trash didn’t just line the roads, trash covered the roads. They covered the sidewalks and created giant heaps all around. There were pigs roaming the streets along with goats, chickens and children. All of them, digging through the trash together. The air was putrid. There was nothing clean around us. I won’t even go into detail about the crime rate there. If the police avoid the area, that kind of gives you a hint of the hostile environment festering in the community. And then, all of a sudden we came to a light and just past the light the roads became paved and buildings appeared. Police motorcycles (yeah the first time I’ve seen that here) drove past us. Seriously, in the blink of an eye, we went from the absolute worst area in Lusaka to one of the richest. That is what Zambia is made of, rich businessmen and women living right next to the slums of Zambia. Ignoring them. Allowing the poor to live their lives parallel to the rich, but refusing to turn a head at their misfortune. My heart was filled with disgust. But then I was reminded that I live in a rich community of Dallas and right on the other side of the Trinity are the slums of Dallas. What are we doing for them? Do we allow the poor in Dallas to live their lives parallel to the rich and refuse to turn our heads at their misfortune?
We are the plan of God. There is no plan B. I’m just one chapter away from finishing Radical (sorry CG- I got a little behind! I promise to finish this week!) Anyways, in one of the chapters I recently read, it reads,
“Some wonder if it is unfair for God to allow so many to have no knowledge of the gospel. But there is no injustice in God. The injustice lies in Christians who possess the gospel and refuse to give their lives to making it known among those who haven’t heard. That is unfair.”
I read that quote and think of the injustice in all of us. As we walk past the homeless on the corners. As we refuse love to the orphaned. As we live our lives as if the whole world is perfectly fine.
God isn’t pleased by our strength, He is pleased by our faith.
You don’t have to be the strongest. You don’t have to be the richest. You don’t have to be the most courageous. You just have to have faith. He’ll use you in whatever way He wants. But for these kids and these people of Zambia, He wants them to know Love.
Those girls that I talked about earlier, they just needed to know that they were loved, cared for and beautiful. And guess what, God allowed me to be the one to tell them.
Every. Single. One. Of. You. Listen. Up.
YOU CAN DO THIS.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
a relaxing saturday
Today has been a nice morning so far! I slept in a little and then organized all of the ministry items people had brought to the villa these past two weeks. Ended up finding a lot of the stuff that was "missing." Funny what a little cleaning can do! After that I came to villa 37 where the internet is and have been working on some spreadsheets and other work stuff in order to get ready for next week!
Yesterday was a blast! I woke up and went to camp which on Fridays is at the hilltop at the Tree of Life. I stayed there for a couple hours and helped the summer staff girls get all the gifts for the kids organized. I watched them sing a few songs and then I walked down to the houses where the kids who LIVE at the Tree of Life were just getting out of school. I had so much fun just hanging out with them. There were a couple that just wanted to hang on me and have me hold them the entire time.
Of course I fell in LOVE with little Ackim. He is 6 years old and the oldest of 3 brothers that just got moved in 2 weeks ago. His two younger brothers got sponsored right away because they are just little babies. Oh but Ackim was SOOOO cute!! I hope he gets sponsored soon. (If anybody is interested.. let me know!)
Anyways, at dinner last night the Americans all give testimonies of their weeks and of course I just start tearing up because of some of the stories they told. It is always SO COOL to hear people that come for one reason or another and go home a completely different person. Gives me chills just thinking about it. God is so completely intentional about everything He puts in our lives.
I have to tell you what impacted ME the most yesterday. We have one little boy who just moved into the TOL and he has a disability in both his legs. Well I found out that when he moved into the TOL somebody had to physically carry him into the house because he couldn't walk. The next week he was getting around with some help of the other kids. YESTERDAY we had some of the kids run out and meet all the Americans and Gift wasn't one of the ones we picked, but as we let them go Gift took off RUNNING!! His legs were still bent in as he ran, but it didn't matter anymore. He was FREE. Seriously, the sweetest boy. While I was hanging out with them, he just kept coming up to me with the biggest smile and giving me hugs.
Today the new group of Americans come in! And we start all over again :)
Yesterday was a blast! I woke up and went to camp which on Fridays is at the hilltop at the Tree of Life. I stayed there for a couple hours and helped the summer staff girls get all the gifts for the kids organized. I watched them sing a few songs and then I walked down to the houses where the kids who LIVE at the Tree of Life were just getting out of school. I had so much fun just hanging out with them. There were a couple that just wanted to hang on me and have me hold them the entire time.
Of course I fell in LOVE with little Ackim. He is 6 years old and the oldest of 3 brothers that just got moved in 2 weeks ago. His two younger brothers got sponsored right away because they are just little babies. Oh but Ackim was SOOOO cute!! I hope he gets sponsored soon. (If anybody is interested.. let me know!)
Anyways, at dinner last night the Americans all give testimonies of their weeks and of course I just start tearing up because of some of the stories they told. It is always SO COOL to hear people that come for one reason or another and go home a completely different person. Gives me chills just thinking about it. God is so completely intentional about everything He puts in our lives.
I have to tell you what impacted ME the most yesterday. We have one little boy who just moved into the TOL and he has a disability in both his legs. Well I found out that when he moved into the TOL somebody had to physically carry him into the house because he couldn't walk. The next week he was getting around with some help of the other kids. YESTERDAY we had some of the kids run out and meet all the Americans and Gift wasn't one of the ones we picked, but as we let them go Gift took off RUNNING!! His legs were still bent in as he ran, but it didn't matter anymore. He was FREE. Seriously, the sweetest boy. While I was hanging out with them, he just kept coming up to me with the biggest smile and giving me hugs.
Today the new group of Americans come in! And we start all over again :)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
adventures in London
well after 3 years of actually going into London, I decided I was done with that. Not being able to sleep on a combination of 20 hours of plane rides and up all the day before I left and then up for the 10 hour lay over in London is just really hard on a girl. Know what I mean?
SO one 9 hour plane ride down, 2 train rides, and MANY elevators and escalators, I made it to my home away from home for the next 6 1/2 hours and counting. Yes, I did all of that BY MYSELF. I must say, I'm getting pretty savvy at finding my way around ridiculously big airports. Ok, I may have asked for directions a time or two, but for the most part I did it alone.
I'm not sure what you would call this room. It was described to me as a cruise ship room but as I sit on the bed and look around, I'm pretty sure the length of my body could reach both ends. Ok, I just tried it. I'm about a foot and a half off. Needless to say, I'm more in a little pod then a room. (Jodi if you're reading this, remember when we wanted to share the yotel last year?? Yeah I don't know how that would have worked out!)
I would like to comment that I watched 3 movies and listened to 2 CDs on my trip to London. It is an excellent time to catch up on all the movies that I always had good intentions of seeing but never actually did. Adjustment Bureau anyone?
Ok, I'm off to take a quick shower and a nap!
Here's to hoping the alarm clock pulls through :)
SO one 9 hour plane ride down, 2 train rides, and MANY elevators and escalators, I made it to my home away from home for the next 6 1/2 hours and counting. Yes, I did all of that BY MYSELF. I must say, I'm getting pretty savvy at finding my way around ridiculously big airports. Ok, I may have asked for directions a time or two, but for the most part I did it alone.
I'm not sure what you would call this room. It was described to me as a cruise ship room but as I sit on the bed and look around, I'm pretty sure the length of my body could reach both ends. Ok, I just tried it. I'm about a foot and a half off. Needless to say, I'm more in a little pod then a room. (Jodi if you're reading this, remember when we wanted to share the yotel last year?? Yeah I don't know how that would have worked out!)
I would like to comment that I watched 3 movies and listened to 2 CDs on my trip to London. It is an excellent time to catch up on all the movies that I always had good intentions of seeing but never actually did. Adjustment Bureau anyone?
Ok, I'm off to take a quick shower and a nap!
Here's to hoping the alarm clock pulls through :)
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Faith the size of a mustard seed.
I am OVERJOYED to announce that I will be getting to spend 2 whole months in Zambia this summer! As most of you know, this is a dream come true for me. Since the moment I stepped foot in Zambia back in 2008, I’ve desired nothing more but to return again and again. And now, I’ve graduated college and have been working for Family Legacy for nearly a year.
This year for me has been filled with child sponsorships, playing a role in the development of our Community Resource Centers and helping create deep relationships between the children at the Tree of Life Children’s Village and their sponsors. Although my time has been spent in the states since August, it is the daily work I do that ensures transforming stories of the children in Zambia. This next story is one that has personally touched me the most.
Joseph walks the streets looking for food in the piles of trash that littered the ground. His bare feet land on sharp cans, plastic, rocks, and paper. His clothes are dirty, ripped and too small for his growing body. It’s the same shirt he has worn for the past 3 years. His thin frame reflects the truth of poverty. It reflects the truth of being the youngest in a house of 11. He lifts his jacket sleeves to reveal the malicious burns that adorn his arms. The embarrassment in his eyes proves the severity of his pain, physically and emotionally. The tears that flood his cheeks tell a story too cruel to fathom. His very own grandmother had thrown a boiling pot of hot water all over his body. Why would she do that? Honestly, it doesn’t matter. The fact is, she had the audacity to purposely abuse her grandson. The good news is, it doesn’t end there. He is now in our sponsorship program and has the care and guidance of a Discipleship Leader, a safe place to run to in case he gets locked out of his home at night, and an education that will grow him to be a leader of his generation. God does not forget about the least of these.
I tell this story to say that when you make the commitment to support me, you ultimately set off a chain reaction of eternally significant events. There are many more Joseph’s living in Zambia today – all waiting for just ONE of us to hear their story and take action.
Your support means more to me than I could ever express on paper or in words. Your contributions and prayers ensure that children and families are forever changed by the power of the gospel and forever changing the world in which they live. Joseph’s life will never be the same, and it is because somebody stood up and said “enough is enough”. Enough has been stolen from this young boy’s life, and this is where it ENDS. This summer I know we will meet countless orphaned children, where we learn their story and we say enough is enough! I invite you to be a part of their story and their testimony, one we don’t know yet, but God already has it in the works!
A few weeks ago, I was challenged to thank God every day for the things that I am not yet aware of. So I took that challenge and every morning as I wake up, I thank God for the day He has given me. I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but He does. I realized as time went by, that I stopped worrying about how I would be able to pay my bills because I have an All-Powerful God taking care of me.
Currently, I only have 40% of what I need to continue working with Family Legacy. I have the strictest budget set in place and I have faith God will provide. With that being said, I have exciting news to share with you all. An anonymous donor has offered to give me $200 a month as long as it can be MATCHED! This is an incredible gift! I want to take full advantage of their generosity and ask you to partner with me to increase my monthly support by $400. Even if you can only afford to support me at $15, $25, or $50 a month, that is now doubled to $30, $50, and $100 each month! I humbly ask that you will prayerfully consider giving monthly toward my support account so I can meet the $200 matching gift and continue serving children just like Joseph. All donations are tax- deductible.
“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
A mustard seed is about 1/20th of an inch. That’s 1.27 millimeters. That’s the size of faith God asks for. And yet, we often times think that’s too much. Now is the time to sow those seeds, even if it’s as small as a mustard seed. So I’ve written this letter in faith. Faith that God knows exactly how to provide for me. God will take that faith and move mountains. May God richly bless you for your support into the lives of the countless Zambian orphans. I am eternally grateful for YOU!
This year for me has been filled with child sponsorships, playing a role in the development of our Community Resource Centers and helping create deep relationships between the children at the Tree of Life Children’s Village and their sponsors. Although my time has been spent in the states since August, it is the daily work I do that ensures transforming stories of the children in Zambia. This next story is one that has personally touched me the most.
Joseph walks the streets looking for food in the piles of trash that littered the ground. His bare feet land on sharp cans, plastic, rocks, and paper. His clothes are dirty, ripped and too small for his growing body. It’s the same shirt he has worn for the past 3 years. His thin frame reflects the truth of poverty. It reflects the truth of being the youngest in a house of 11. He lifts his jacket sleeves to reveal the malicious burns that adorn his arms. The embarrassment in his eyes proves the severity of his pain, physically and emotionally. The tears that flood his cheeks tell a story too cruel to fathom. His very own grandmother had thrown a boiling pot of hot water all over his body. Why would she do that? Honestly, it doesn’t matter. The fact is, she had the audacity to purposely abuse her grandson. The good news is, it doesn’t end there. He is now in our sponsorship program and has the care and guidance of a Discipleship Leader, a safe place to run to in case he gets locked out of his home at night, and an education that will grow him to be a leader of his generation. God does not forget about the least of these.
I tell this story to say that when you make the commitment to support me, you ultimately set off a chain reaction of eternally significant events. There are many more Joseph’s living in Zambia today – all waiting for just ONE of us to hear their story and take action.
Your support means more to me than I could ever express on paper or in words. Your contributions and prayers ensure that children and families are forever changed by the power of the gospel and forever changing the world in which they live. Joseph’s life will never be the same, and it is because somebody stood up and said “enough is enough”. Enough has been stolen from this young boy’s life, and this is where it ENDS. This summer I know we will meet countless orphaned children, where we learn their story and we say enough is enough! I invite you to be a part of their story and their testimony, one we don’t know yet, but God already has it in the works!
A few weeks ago, I was challenged to thank God every day for the things that I am not yet aware of. So I took that challenge and every morning as I wake up, I thank God for the day He has given me. I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but He does. I realized as time went by, that I stopped worrying about how I would be able to pay my bills because I have an All-Powerful God taking care of me.
Currently, I only have 40% of what I need to continue working with Family Legacy. I have the strictest budget set in place and I have faith God will provide. With that being said, I have exciting news to share with you all. An anonymous donor has offered to give me $200 a month as long as it can be MATCHED! This is an incredible gift! I want to take full advantage of their generosity and ask you to partner with me to increase my monthly support by $400. Even if you can only afford to support me at $15, $25, or $50 a month, that is now doubled to $30, $50, and $100 each month! I humbly ask that you will prayerfully consider giving monthly toward my support account so I can meet the $200 matching gift and continue serving children just like Joseph. All donations are tax- deductible.
“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
A mustard seed is about 1/20th of an inch. That’s 1.27 millimeters. That’s the size of faith God asks for. And yet, we often times think that’s too much. Now is the time to sow those seeds, even if it’s as small as a mustard seed. So I’ve written this letter in faith. Faith that God knows exactly how to provide for me. God will take that faith and move mountains. May God richly bless you for your support into the lives of the countless Zambian orphans. I am eternally grateful for YOU!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
it's not about me.
I'll be honest, I've been a little discouraged lately. Things haven't exactly gone my way. (notice the selfish "my" in that statement)
It's a good thing it's not about me.
"who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten my this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day." Deuteronomy 8:16-18
"I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant." Joshua 24:13
You see, there is no cause/effect relationship between fighting and winning. Or between how hard you work and how much money you make. Take example from how hard peasants worked and how little they earned. Nobody worked harder and everybody had more.
So what's the point of all this? It's really just to remind ourselves that no matter where you've ended up in this life that you didn't get there by earning it. You got there by the grace of God.
"for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but Your right hand and Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You delighted in them." Psalm 44:3
All that I have and all that I have accomplished has been through His hand and His hand only.
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved EVEN IN HIS SLEEP." Psalm 127:2
That is a powerful verse. Friends, He PROMISES that He will provide for His children. Even when we are sleeping. Even when we are doing nothing. He provides.
So here is where I am at. I am continuing to thank God for the things that I am not yet aware of because I know that he is always working for me. That's easier said then done most days, but I am confident my Lord has a perfect plan already laid out for me.
It's a good thing it's not about me.
"who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten my this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day." Deuteronomy 8:16-18
"I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant." Joshua 24:13
You see, there is no cause/effect relationship between fighting and winning. Or between how hard you work and how much money you make. Take example from how hard peasants worked and how little they earned. Nobody worked harder and everybody had more.
So what's the point of all this? It's really just to remind ourselves that no matter where you've ended up in this life that you didn't get there by earning it. You got there by the grace of God.
"for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but Your right hand and Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You delighted in them." Psalm 44:3
All that I have and all that I have accomplished has been through His hand and His hand only.
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved EVEN IN HIS SLEEP." Psalm 127:2
That is a powerful verse. Friends, He PROMISES that He will provide for His children. Even when we are sleeping. Even when we are doing nothing. He provides.
So here is where I am at. I am continuing to thank God for the things that I am not yet aware of because I know that he is always working for me. That's easier said then done most days, but I am confident my Lord has a perfect plan already laid out for me.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
I don't need that.
I used to count myself as very non-materialistic. But here's the thing. The reason I felt like I wasn't materialistic is because I can't afford to be one. I have no money therefore I cannot buy many things. And then I was slapped in the face.
Because although I do not buy things, my mind is still consumed with the want. The want of new clothes. The want of good food. The want of nice jewelry and shoes. The want of money. And if I am wanting all of these things that means I am not content because materialism is the opposite of contentment.
If you're like me then you probably think, "if only I can just buy this one shirt, I will be happy." But what happens after you get the shirt? You move on to the next shirt. And again you say, "If only I can just buy this one shirt, I will be happy." Where does the cycle end?
We will never ever ever be rich enough to stop wanting.
"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." 1 Timothy 6:6-10
So, think about all you own. Is there anything in your possession that you aren't willing to give up? Anything you own right now that you can't give away, owns you.
God tells us that as long as we have food and clothing (not excessively) then we should be content. Can you honestly say that holds true for you?
Challenge:
For an entire month, take everything past food and clothing and invest it in the Kingdom rather than yourself.
Practice saying, "I don't need that."
Let me know if you try this. I'd love to hear of the results to this challenge!
Because although I do not buy things, my mind is still consumed with the want. The want of new clothes. The want of good food. The want of nice jewelry and shoes. The want of money. And if I am wanting all of these things that means I am not content because materialism is the opposite of contentment.
If you're like me then you probably think, "if only I can just buy this one shirt, I will be happy." But what happens after you get the shirt? You move on to the next shirt. And again you say, "If only I can just buy this one shirt, I will be happy." Where does the cycle end?
We will never ever ever be rich enough to stop wanting.
"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." 1 Timothy 6:6-10
So, think about all you own. Is there anything in your possession that you aren't willing to give up? Anything you own right now that you can't give away, owns you.
God tells us that as long as we have food and clothing (not excessively) then we should be content. Can you honestly say that holds true for you?
Challenge:
For an entire month, take everything past food and clothing and invest it in the Kingdom rather than yourself.
Practice saying, "I don't need that."
Let me know if you try this. I'd love to hear of the results to this challenge!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
time.
I leave for Zambia in 3 months.
Didn't I just get back?! Where on earth has the time gone? So much has to happen before I leave:
-go to California to see brudder bear graduate!
-second team meeting
-Easter
-third team meeting
-Momma J's 50th birthday!!
-showers, parties and wedding for Skye
-party and wedding for Jodi
-move out (but with nowhere to move into!)
-pack?!
-leave for Zambia for 2 WHOLE MONTHS!!
ehhh.. I'm sure I've forgotten a thing or two in between, but my brain just can't hold it all in anymore. Thank the good Lord for calendars :)
Didn't I just get back?! Where on earth has the time gone? So much has to happen before I leave:
-go to California to see brudder bear graduate!
-second team meeting
-Easter
-third team meeting
-Momma J's 50th birthday!!
-showers, parties and wedding for Skye
-party and wedding for Jodi
-move out (but with nowhere to move into!)
-pack?!
-leave for Zambia for 2 WHOLE MONTHS!!
ehhh.. I'm sure I've forgotten a thing or two in between, but my brain just can't hold it all in anymore. Thank the good Lord for calendars :)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
the facts on winning.
Vince Lombardi was famous. He was one of the most successful coaches in NFL history and praised for his motivational speeches and teachings. One of his most known quotes is this:
winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing.
I learned a little bit more about Vince Lombardi today at church. Packers fans drive past 667 Sunset Circle to get a glimpse of the house Lombardi lived in. Maybe to get some of the motivation that he so famously was known for. Maybe to get the inspiration his players felt every time he gave a speech. But here's the thing. His children, the ones that lived in that house with him for so many years, they never go back. Because they know the man he was behind that door.
Some say that the football field was full of Lombardi's greatest accomplishments. But more importantly is this, 667 Sunset Circle was full of his greatest failures.
If you ask me, I would say his success was only a sometime thing. Maybe it's because he defined winning as the team with the most points on the scoreboard when the clock hit zero instead of the father who taught his children with Love and care.
I think he could take a lesson from Daniel Sepulveda, the punter for the Steelers. This is his second chance to play in the Super Bowl and this is the second time that he has been injured. During an interview, he was asked if he was angry that this has happened to him for a second time. He said obviously he was frustrated, but angry, no. You see, Daniel knew that his football career could come and go, but the one thing that's constant is God's love for him. Besides, God does everything for a reason, right? How often does the punter get interviewed, and here he was being interviewed and he was able to give all the glory to God.
So, what's the point of all of this? I'm not saying don't enjoy the game because it's football and it's fun and exciting. But don't make it everything. Don't put your hope in a game because the glory fades. Put your hope in God because He will always be faithful.
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30
winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing.
I learned a little bit more about Vince Lombardi today at church. Packers fans drive past 667 Sunset Circle to get a glimpse of the house Lombardi lived in. Maybe to get some of the motivation that he so famously was known for. Maybe to get the inspiration his players felt every time he gave a speech. But here's the thing. His children, the ones that lived in that house with him for so many years, they never go back. Because they know the man he was behind that door.
Some say that the football field was full of Lombardi's greatest accomplishments. But more importantly is this, 667 Sunset Circle was full of his greatest failures.
If you ask me, I would say his success was only a sometime thing. Maybe it's because he defined winning as the team with the most points on the scoreboard when the clock hit zero instead of the father who taught his children with Love and care.
I think he could take a lesson from Daniel Sepulveda, the punter for the Steelers. This is his second chance to play in the Super Bowl and this is the second time that he has been injured. During an interview, he was asked if he was angry that this has happened to him for a second time. He said obviously he was frustrated, but angry, no. You see, Daniel knew that his football career could come and go, but the one thing that's constant is God's love for him. Besides, God does everything for a reason, right? How often does the punter get interviewed, and here he was being interviewed and he was able to give all the glory to God.
So, what's the point of all of this? I'm not saying don't enjoy the game because it's football and it's fun and exciting. But don't make it everything. Don't put your hope in a game because the glory fades. Put your hope in God because He will always be faithful.
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
He has proven His might.
This week I've been reminded that we do not deserve life. For those who think we do, well, I'm here to tell you that you're very much mistaken.
Luke Steinmann, an 18 year old boy, has been in a coma for the past 15 days. He had a brain aneurysm while driving that caused him and his younger brother to crash. His brother woke up and is healing well, but Luke has undergone multiple surgeries (the latest being today) to relieve the pressure from the fluid build up in his brain. He is still in a coma. For 15 days his parents have waited for their 18 year old son to wake up. For 15 days they've been praying for complete and total healing. And for 15 days they've been thanking God for an amazing 18 years with their son. Do they hope for 18 more? Without a doubt. Are they angry at God for this aneurysm? Not a chance. Through this time, they've gotten to see how many people their son has impacted. They've gotten to grow closer together and closer to God. Their faith has been strengthened. As I humbly read their blog, I'm reminded that each moment is a gift from the Lord. Thank Him by using those moments to bring Him glory. (Here is the link to the blog if you want to join me in praying for this family: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lukesteinmann)
Once a month, I've started eating lunch with the most amazing woman. She is paralyzed from the neck down due to MS (Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). I'm not going to lie, I was so nervous the first time I went. I mean, was this going to be awkward? I had to adjust her bed, feed her food, fix her water bottle so that with just a turn of the head she could drink, and most of all talk with her while she eats. What would we even have in common? Let me tell you, this woman is absolutely amazing. I LOVE my time that I get to spend with her! She puts life back in perspective for me. She has to lay in bed all day every day but her sweet and amazing friends have set up a schedule so that she has somebody to eat lunch with her EVERY SINGLE DAY. What a testament to how she has impacted their lives that they would go to such lengths to give her happiness. Today, as we chatting about tv shows, my work, and her family, I realized we have more in common than I thought. We are both daughters of the King. She had me read out of her devotional for the day and it was about not knowing what the future holds, but knowing that God has it all under control. What a perfect message for this week.
recap:
It's through the hardest times that God is able to perform the biggest miracles.
Luke Steinmann, an 18 year old boy, has been in a coma for the past 15 days. He had a brain aneurysm while driving that caused him and his younger brother to crash. His brother woke up and is healing well, but Luke has undergone multiple surgeries (the latest being today) to relieve the pressure from the fluid build up in his brain. He is still in a coma. For 15 days his parents have waited for their 18 year old son to wake up. For 15 days they've been praying for complete and total healing. And for 15 days they've been thanking God for an amazing 18 years with their son. Do they hope for 18 more? Without a doubt. Are they angry at God for this aneurysm? Not a chance. Through this time, they've gotten to see how many people their son has impacted. They've gotten to grow closer together and closer to God. Their faith has been strengthened. As I humbly read their blog, I'm reminded that each moment is a gift from the Lord. Thank Him by using those moments to bring Him glory. (Here is the link to the blog if you want to join me in praying for this family: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lukesteinmann)
Once a month, I've started eating lunch with the most amazing woman. She is paralyzed from the neck down due to MS (Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). I'm not going to lie, I was so nervous the first time I went. I mean, was this going to be awkward? I had to adjust her bed, feed her food, fix her water bottle so that with just a turn of the head she could drink, and most of all talk with her while she eats. What would we even have in common? Let me tell you, this woman is absolutely amazing. I LOVE my time that I get to spend with her! She puts life back in perspective for me. She has to lay in bed all day every day but her sweet and amazing friends have set up a schedule so that she has somebody to eat lunch with her EVERY SINGLE DAY. What a testament to how she has impacted their lives that they would go to such lengths to give her happiness. Today, as we chatting about tv shows, my work, and her family, I realized we have more in common than I thought. We are both daughters of the King. She had me read out of her devotional for the day and it was about not knowing what the future holds, but knowing that God has it all under control. What a perfect message for this week.
recap:
It's through the hardest times that God is able to perform the biggest miracles.
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