the last few weeks...

...have been filled with A LOT.

i ran my first marathon. 26.2 miles is a really long way to run. there were a lot of great things about it: a flat course along old mission point, a breeze coming off the lake, the frequent water stations, meeting funny people along the course, etc. but, i think the best part was COMMUNITY. several times along the course, we had a cheering crowd of close to 20 people (my family, some of my best camp friends, etc.)

each time i ran past them, i was reminded, "wow. whenever i forget how overwhelmingly blessed i am, REMEMBER THIS." and then, to top it all off, we spent the entire weekend all together relaxing at a condo up north. laying on the beach. talking. doing nothing. being together.

my heart has been consistently and more steadily burdened by abortion that is taking place in my very own city. the passion has been growing inside of me, but i am realizing over and over again that there is NOTHING i can do. so, we simply sit humbly under a weight of such a heavy thing and pray and ask God to move. its again coming to the point when i say, "okay, God. i can't do anything. you have to come through for us!" and He comes through. we have observed transformation and we are begging for more...

side note: i am slightly overwhelmed by money and finances and college loans and figuring out all the details for school next semester. yuck. this is the part of being an adult that i wish i could ignore.

i love summer. i love hot weather. i love wearing skirts and not being cold. i love vibrant colors and sunny skies. i love spontaneously going to the beach.

i am attempting to reflect on the past semester of my life...it was good. but i haven't concocted any deeper thoughts than that yet.

one song that has really gotten to me is completely applicable to this stage of life (and i'm listening to it right now)...

"and when the oceans rage [when finances seem so annoying and i feel restless and my prayers seem unanswered and i can't figure people out...]

i don't have to be afraid

because i know that you love me.

your love never fails." - Jesus Culture

Daily rescued...

I was just watching a TV segment on a family who adopted two little boys from Uganda. At one point, the mom said, "People have said, 'Oh, aren't they lucky? You rescued them from whatever' and I think 'Are you kidding? I am the lucky one. I get to be their mom and I get to be daily rescued from my selfishness and my impatience and things that are just as disease-ridden in my soul. I guess I'm the lucky one."

So true.

A Rainy Day...

An unexpected day off work.
A fresh pot of coffee.
Good music - Enter the Worship Circle, John Mark McMillan, Gungor, Josh Garrels, David Crowder, Hillsong.
This is good. These are the small things in life that are worth celebrating.

*****
And time to reflect back on the last month or so...
God is moving in Grand Rapids.

On April 25, over 2,000 Jesus-followers gathered together downtown. It was a mix of all different denominations, races, styles, and ages. But, we were all gathered for one reason: to seek God for our city. We prayed over Grand Rapids...for the economy, for families, for schools, for life, for hope. Now is the time to run passionately after him and it is so sweet to run alongside so many other people in my city. In the last few years, God has sparked a new love and appreciation for the city of Grand Rapids. I still love international things and traveling and adventures. And I always will. But, I also want to join where God is already moving. And he is definitely moving in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I have also been learning through all of this that I am not very devoted at praying. I always want to do something visible. But, God moves in response to our prayers. It is a clear way to show that it is nothing that we can do. When we pray we are saying, "I can't do this on my own. And I need you."

"The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying.
He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work,
and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks our wisdom,
but trembles when we pray..." - Samuel Chadwick

Just some random thoughts. Now time to enjoy some quiet (and much-needed) reading and sitting and writing and listening time. Oh man, I love rainy days without obligations.

i ran across a good quote...

"let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair..." -g.k. chesterton

Another adventure...

My goal from the beginning of this semester (when I decided to take the semester off school) was to MAKE the MOST of THIS SEASON. I wanted to have adventures, travel, read good books, love people, be open to serving, pursue the heart of God. Now that I am halfway through the semester, I have started evaluating how all of this has been going. As usual, my expectations were quite high and I haven't been living up to all of my aspirations for this semester. It has been an enjoyable chapter in the story so far. But, I haven't read as much as I wanted to. I haven't loved people as well as I wanted to. I have been selfish rather than servant-hearted. I would always love to travel more. And I haven't given Jesus as much time as he deserves. But, I am so thankful for His GRACE. Every morning is a fresh start and a new chapter in this ridiculous life story that he put me in.

And, tomorrow yet another adventure is taking place...the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. I went last summer to spend time with some great friends, Joe and Shannon, who are missionaries there. My roommate, Julie, and I found cheap tickets (despite having 2 overnight layovers - it will be good training for when we are on the Amazing Race); Joe and Shannon have the week off; and things just kinda fell into place.

Its been a while since I have gone on a vacation trip; there is usually some type of work or project. I considered this idea in my head and realized that if my entire life goal is to glorify God and make Him known, it doesn't matter if I am on a "mission trip" or a "vacation." If we are followers of Jesus, we are full-time, 24/7 missionaries. I'm excited to see who God brings into our paths, how we can serve and love people...So...here we come...a week of rest, rejuvenation, good friends, lots of laughing, funny stories, Spanish, beautiful beaches, and a beautiful culture.

But, I am sure going to miss this...

We'll have to have another sister sleepover as soon as I get home :)

Car Ride with Tem and Tessa...

On the way to Grandpa and Grandma's house.

I love my new siblings. Even when I have no idea what they are saying.

Lately, I have been encouraged, inspired and deeply challenged by...

http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/ (This blog by a 20-something girl who sacrificed everything to move to Uganda and now is the mom to fourteen kids) Check this out.



www.brookhills.org/media/series/radical (This sermon series by Dr. David Platt has been blowing my mind and I just started the first one; I always come up with other things to do and fill my life with busyness. But, please make time for this.)


http://www.thereisnomewithoutyou.com/ This book called There is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene. Greene tells the story of an Ethiopian woman who goes through terrible grief in her own life but then starts caring for orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. It was even better to read right after coming home from Ethiopia; all the memories were still so vivid and real.