How was your trip?

The question of the hour. How was your trip?

My answer? I'm still unpacking it. Literally and figuratively and spiritually and emotionally. All of it.

There was so much to take in. How did I change, how am I different? How do I want to be different? Why am I so blessed? How can I share my blessings? Why am I awake at 3:30 in the morning?!

I saw poverty but pure joy. I saw huts but homes filled with love. I saw pain but praise for Jesus. I saw dirt but I saw smiles too.

So as I prepare for my day, I reflect and think. I'm ready to serve in Kid City today and ready to worship my God. The same God that the wonderful people of Uganda will be worshipping today too.

I miss you Uganda! You are in my heart.

Fourth of July

Four years ago at this time I was preparing to get married the next week. The following fourth of July I was settling in to the fact that my marriage was over. But God works through all our bad, tough stuff to bring glory to him. And He sure has!

Three years ago I spent my first 4th with my family in years! I still needed their support and comfort. 4th of July was the first official holiday since we determined it was over. I still needed to tell my family (my extended family) and that was probably the worst part of it all. Really made you feel like a failure. I relied heavily on God during that time and really truly could not have made it without him.

My mom at the time was not saved and not really a fan of God either. I remember on one of my darkest days my mom said to me, " you know you're going to have to deal with this and not just leave it up to God. You are using Him as a crutch." I don't really know how to respond and then the words just came out. "Crutches are for people who can't walk on their own. And right now I can't. So I need my crutches." That was in February of that year.

When I went up for the 4th of July my mom said she wanted to check out this church that she had tried years before. I told her I'd go with her even though part fo me really wanted to go my friends church. I mean, how could I say no though?

This church is definitely a seekers church, one that reaches out to the community and makes everyone feel welcome and at home. Not a Sunday's finest kind of place. We sat about half way up on the right hand side of the sanctuary. It started off with some really good praise and worship and I liked it. My mom seemed into it as well. Good sign.

Then the sermon started. Being the 4th and all it was about freedom. The freedom that you can only ever have by serving and loving God. As we sat there, I couldn't help but feel like this sermon was written just for my mom. I wondered if she was taking it in. At one point the pastor said (I swear this happened!!) "I feel like I need to be speaking in this direction" and turned toward us. I swear he was looking right at her. I was kinda surreal. And I wondered if she noticed or felt the same way.

Well...she did! We talked afterwards and I didn't want to push her so I just asked what she thought of it all. She too felt like it was just for her! :-). That was three years ago. Since then she's been baptized, she's a member of her church and she is very involved...pretty much in everything!!

This Fourth of July, I am preparing for my trip to Uganda (did I mention I'm going to Uganda?!). My we've come a long ways in three years!

I can't help but look back over the last four years and think of all the wonderful things that came out of my pain. Without those trials I probably won't be as close to Christ as I am now. And surely I wouldn't be going to Uganda with some wonderful people that I met at Hope! And what about my mom?! What a blessing it's been to watch her grow strong in her faith and become a child of God.

Happy Fourth of July, y'all!!!!

Two weeks away!!!!

Can you believe this journey that started in February is only two weeks away?! It seems like I've been waiting forever and now it's almost here!

I've got all my shots and picked up my prescription for Malarone...trying not to "bring" anything home with me. Happy, Mom?! :-)

As this trip gets closer I find myself asking myself (and yes, if you know me I ALWAYS have conversations with myself. My friends have learned to just listen and let us work it out) what I have to offer. I know God put me on this trip and that I am there for a reason, but I wonder what it is? Parts of me feel like my whole life has led up to this and the other arts don't feel ready. Don't ask what parts. :-)

Also, people keep telling me this trip is going to be life changing. How does on prepare for such an event?!

I guess you just sit and wait and how patience. Can't wait to see how God is going to use me!!!

Oh, just some pretty cool updates is all.

I just got back from a Uganda trip meeting and I feel more ready than ever! There are a couple changes to our trip that I am very excited to share with you!

1. Not only will we be building a house, as planned, we will also be spending a great deal of time with the Mum's and just loving up on them and encouraging them. Our team leaders asked for people to volunteer to do this and also to help lead it...I hope I get picked! ;-)

Think single Mom to 8 kids!!! Oh, my! They NEED to be pampered and cared for. So much attention go to the kids, cause well, they're kids but he Mum's need it too!

2. We will have to separate afternoons with the kids. First day we are going to do an American Field Day, adapted for Ugandans. Haha. Not sure exactly what that means....but I'm in! And the next day we will go to church with them and then have kind of a carnival day with face painting and balloon figures and stuff. How much fun?!

3. This is still only a possibility, but maybe a strong possibility....praying!!!! The people of Hope Community Church raised enough money last Christmas to build a new church at one of the villages. There is a good chance it will be done and dedicated while we are there!!!!!!! How amazing is that?!?!?! Oh, that God of ours...always in the details. I tell ya!

My heart is bursting with excitement in the fact that we get to meet and serve these people that God has chosen for us to do so. He knew before I was knitted in my mothers womb that I would be there, with these fellow Christ followers serving the beautiful women and children of Watoto.

Right now, believe it or not, I'm speechless.

Bake sale/yard sale

Had a great week with my mom in town! Sure was nice having her here. :-)

We had a yard sale/bake sale with some friends and raised $150!! And making the baked goods with my Mom and brother was a real bonus. We made cupcakes, muffins, chocolate covered pretzels, cookies and cake pops. My cousin donated items that we sold, what a great girl. Thanks Amy!!

After the sale we got to spend some time with friends having a little BBQ celebrating a friends birthday. Lovely weekend.

Only $500 away!! I can't believe how close I am. God is good!

Habits

It's amazing how 'habits' seem to make us who we are. It's also pretty crazy how hard it is to break a bad habit. If our habits are bad, we feel like bad people. But they are just habits. And when we break free from them we can feel new again.

I've been breaking my old habits and I've picked up some pretty cool new, good habits too. And I must say....I'm feeling pretty great about it! All Glory an honor to you, oh Lord!

Did you know God says we can test Him?

Malachi 3:10

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Wow! God says TRUST ME!!! TEST ME!! I've got your back! Ok, maybe He doesn't use those exact words, but it's implied. :-).

In my last post I talked about 'really trusting God' and how after taking a look at myself seeing what I needed to change. One of the things on my LONG list was tithing. I've tithed for awhile giving to charities, sponsoring people (Watoto!!!) and putting into the offering plate when I remembered to get cash. But never my 10%. 10% seemed so Old Testament. 10% seemed undo able. 10% seemed down right crazy!! I'm a single income family for me and my two cats. And if you've never met Lucy, well, my girl likes to eat! 10%, huh?

It's pretty clear that 10% is the benchmark. 10% is stated over and over in the Bible. Ok...10%. I set up automatic giving so I knew there was no going back, and no way I could forget OR not make giving my priority. I want to be "All in!"

Almost the moment I clicked confirm for my auto deduct, people started giving to me! In the first three weeks I raised $85. And now I've raised about $850!! I also got my taxes back and put that towards my trip too. Today as I stand before you (typing on my phone)...I only need $1000 more. Wow!! I have a month to go and I just know God will provide. Why? Because He says I can test Him. And He WILL provide.