Jesus Wants the Rose

Pastor Matt did this at a Passion conference a while ago, its only about 4 minutes but I think it's powerful and just wanted to share it.

Jesus Wants the Rose

Click the link above to watch it.

Life Update

Life Update. It's been some time since I've sat down to write so here are some recent happenings with pictures (I'm going to get better about posting with pictures).

I've been home in Dallas the last 7 weeks for work. Can I just tell you how incredible it has been? I've almost heard an entire series at church. I can buy groceries for more than a week or 2 at a time. I've got to live out of my closet without planning my outfits so far in advance. I've got to sleep in on saturdays with no agenda, because I can take care of errands on week nights. But, I get back on the road this Sunday and am not looking forward to it. I've got way to comfortable at home and am truly enjoying being around friends and family.

I got a new car. It's a Toyota 4 Runner. I am loving it. Dad gave me a little baby car for graduation, it was a lot of fun to drive, but got kind of old. Having a bigger car before, then switching to a 2 seater wasn't easy. But this is my first big purchase, Consumer Reports had nothing but good things to say about this model, and it had an aux plug for my ipod (the only deal breaker)!

Little Bryce got diagnosed with Type I Diabetes. It has been a roller coaster learning how to count carbs, balance his food intake with insulin, and learning what to do if his blood sugars are too high or too low. Overwhelming is the first thing that comes to mind. A hassle to do injections 4 times a day.. But as easy as it is to focus on these things, Bryce has had such a good attitude about it. He's told us over and over that its not terminal, and he can manage it (what 11 year old says that?) He still gets to play soccer, still go to his new school, still be himself, it doesn't seem to bother him at all. It does make eating out more difficult, it takes some research before leaving the house to ensure there are things on the menu within his carb range, but eventually, it won't be a second thought. He has such a good outlook on it and I'm truly loving watching him take every bump, and challenge head on with such a positive attitude.

Katie and Blake bought a house some time ago and I hadn't made it to Fort Worth to see it. I got to make it over there and see it, its adorable and it's weird that they have a starter home. Prepared to have kids running around one day, and I'm still wondering where I want to be in a few years, where my passion is, and having those same questions I had as a college freshman. It's an adorable house and Katie's cute style is all over that house. Aside from the kitchen/breakfast nook, it has a balcony that looks over into the living room which is I think is my favorite feature.

One of my longest and best friends got married this last weekend. We had a full week of wedding activities and it was absolutely exhausting, but also so fun to be a part of. Molly and I have known each other all our life. We used to tell people we were born next to each other, but it wasn't until middle school after we told someone, that we realized that wasn't true, we are born a month a part haha.. Both of us grew up sisters as we both had families full of boys. It was fun getting to hangout with all her friends in one place together. There will be some pictures on facebook soon probably, but I didn't take any on my own camera all weekend.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I've been praying about going to Israel with the JH Ranch. I was asked to go before, but didn't feel like it was the right timing to leave. Essentially, it would be a 3 month mission trip to help build relationships with the people of Ariel, Israel as a few of us from the JH Ranch help intercede for the leaders, the nation, the people, teenagers who will eventually attend/work at the ranch, and help train the staff. Needless to say, its been heavy on my heart ever since I had to turn down the last trip and I would love your prayers about this next trip coming up.

2 of my best friends from the ranch :)

Be Someone

"Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be removed" - Samuel Johnson

Jesus Calling

I've been meaning to write this post since before the new year started or at least by January. But since I didn't, here it is. There is a book that has radically changed my quiet times and I've given it to several friends and just wanted to share it. It's called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. If you need a little word to start your day off on the right foot or you're wanting to dig into the word a little deeper this is a great book because it has a little of both. It has some practical encouragement and it also has verses at the bottom that she notes incase you have time to dig into the word a little deeper. It is a daily devotional that is short and sweet. If you end up getting it, let me know how you like it!

"Come to me for rest and refreshment. The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary. Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.

Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway.

This sounds like an easy assignment, but it is not. Your desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of "the world, the flesh, and the devil." Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of My choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again praise Me for the help of My Presence."

Romans 8:28; Psalm 42:11

Life on the Road

Naturally with this time of the year its hard not to get overwhelmed by all the awesome things we are blessed with. So since one of those things (along with all the obvious - friends, family, etc.) is my job. I've decided to dedicate a blog about my favorite things, some random things about traveling, and a few things I wish were different.

1. I enjoy all the miles and points. Definitely a huge bonus with this job (one of my bosses in our meeting called himself a points whore). Haha but its so true. You spend a long time collecting all these points and its fun to watch them grow.

2. I really like collecting hotel keys. They are everywhere in my apartment, bags, purses, wallet, and sometimes I get them confused. My favorite is the Hampton Inn key because on the card key it reads, "Welcome to _____." So its a fun little reminder of the places I've been.

3. My favorite hotels are Hilton's. Of the Hilton family my preference is the Homewood Suites. The Homewood has separate rooms or a studio flat where there are distinct divisions between living spaces. When you stay in a hotel for weeks on end, its nice to have a kitchen area, living room/work area, bedroom/bathroom area. It feels more homey. They also have a welcome home reception between 5-7 and have complimentary cookies, snacks, and adult beverages. Some of my favorite ones have had a big fireplace with books all around the lobby area and it feels kinda like a library.

4. I'm able to travel over the weekends. Whether that's flying to another cool place, or to just stay and explore the city I'm in.

5. I'm hoping to visit all 50 states.

6. I love meeting all kinds of people. It's one of the best parts of my job. I just finished with Utah- they were really weird but I liked them a lot.

7. Every place I go has something I wish I could bring back to Texas and share.. Show-and-Tell.

8. I enjoy everyone I work with. Being on-site can have its challenges because being with anyone for several weeks can be hard, but it's a cool/weird kind of family. We are together non-stop for a few weeks (traveling, working, eating) and then we might not see each other for months. But when you do, you pick back up where you left off. I'm fortunate to have some people I really get along with and wish I could have known sooner.

9. Traveling is a double edge sword. I love seeing places, meeting people, people watching, but it can get tiring getting on and off airplanes, messing with travel arrangements, reservations, and dumb people.

10. I never travel without my iPod, iPod speaker, bible, chapstick, hand sanitizer, and a book.

11. I wish I had more time to spend with friends and family. I love the travel, but it makes it hard to have real connections or close relationships with people back at home (or wherever they might be). This job has made me realize how intentional you have to be with the people in the life and making an effort to build those relationships.

12. I miss Sundays. I miss waking up when my body does and slowly enjoying the morning. Getting ready for church without an agenda playing in the back of my mind of all the packing/traveling that needs to be done in the last hours of the weekend. I miss lazy Sunday afternoons. I miss Sunday Night church and dinner with friends. I miss telling stories before bed and catching up with roommates after a long and crazy weekend.

13. I like trying local restaurants.

14. Assuming all my clothes are washed, I can pack in less than 5 minutes. If you attempt this, don't forget your toiletries, chargers (phone, ipod, computer), and under garments.

15. I really really like driving all the different types of rental cars.

Notbroken

So I had the privilege of going to the Goo Goo Dolls concert again in Chattanooga. It was, of course, excellent, but John was telling the story of the song "Notbroken". Its a really good song but the story behind it is even better so I wanted to share it.. After one of their concerts, a lady was talking to him about how her husband had gone away to the war and come home paralyzed. The husband was skeptical about moving back in with the family because he had changed so much and didn't think he could be the person he was before he left for Iraq. John wrote this song as a love letter for her, and others like her, for him to come home. He couldn't help wondering how many other people, who had served our country, were facing this issue upon their return.

Click to listen: Notbroken

May the mighty Lion of Judah, the Holy King of heaven, the Righteous Judge, who will weigh the nations and everyone in them in just and perfect scales, fill you with the true, deep, rich, utterly delightful, and comforting knowledge of Himself. May you, childlike, kneel; may you lovingly trust, even when he shatters your box and singes your hair. May you, lost in wonder, worship, love, and adore.