Much Prayer Needed

Hey everyone! I decided to just put a prayer request up here so you guys could be aware.
I have been speaking with a contact from Christchurch in Newport, Wales about being a part of the GAP team (Grow And Proclaim; part of Sovereign Grace) that will travel to Wales in September and live there for a year. The purpose is to be equipped with evangelistic training, grow in spiritual gifts, and then they will go on a 3 week (I think) mission trip, which will most likely be to Uganda. :)
This is just a very brief "blurb" about the trip, but feel free to ask me questions (though I probably won't have answers at this point). I would greatly appreciate your prayers, and anything you believe the Lord is prompting you to tell me, please feel free to email or call me.
I see this opportunity as very exciting and I believe God has given me faith to pursue it until (if) He shuts the door. But as of right now, I'm moving ahead. I will most likely find out next week if the trip is "a go" for me, so I will keep you posted.

Thanks in advance for your prayers!

Do you lean to the Left or the Right?

Okay, in light of a conversation I had with a few ladies yesterday, I thought I'd post this quiz:
http://www.blogthings.com/areyourightorleftbrainedquiz/ so you could see which side of the brain is more dominant. =)

I thought my results were pretty funny, but really accurate!

You Are 50% Left Brained, 50% Right Brained

And then here are some interesting facts...in case you didn't know:
*The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.
*Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others.
*If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic.
*Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.
*The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility.
*Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way.
*If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art.
*Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

I want to see what your percentage is, so post your results!

Delayed Kick-off to Spring

Okay I just wanted to share with all of y'all that my favorite flower is the Daffodil. I think the first time I realized how much I loved them was when I went with my sister, Crystal, and Tracy to Baltimore, MD about 6 years go on a road trip. =) We visited Mt. Vernon one day and I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the yellow daffodils...my only regret is that I didn't pick a "favorite flower" that comes in more choices of color. Nevertheless, the following is a poem that I found to attach to my obsession of the daffodil...I must also confess...I love the name. It's funny.

DAFFODILS: by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;

A poet could not be but gay,

In such a jocund company!

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Suffering for His Glory?

So a friend asked me to expound on what "suffering" looks like in my life, to give others a picture. I am embarrassed to expound on my few "light and momentary" trials because I am aware there are countless brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are physically being tortured and killed for the sake of the blessed Gospel! But I will do my best.

Suffering (initially) in my life would be any situation God brings my way that doesn't comply with my plan for the day, week, etc. Oftentimes I will see His faithfulness to teach me something in the midst of the trial, and then I have the choice to continue with a willing heart that glorifies God. But most of the time, the sinful nature in me rises up quickly to complain about the discomfort of my current situation...whether it be relationships inside or outside the home, physical ailments, or financial strain. Looking back on the past year, I can choose to look at all of the things God took away from me...friends, health, finances. OR I can choose to look at how God has already been glorified in most of those situations by:

*providing finances in a round-about way

*freeing me up to develop relationships with new people, and strengthening current relationships

*giving me exactly the care I need for my current health situations

*and mainly, being more aware of His unending grace and constant care over my life

Well I was hoping this would prove to be transparent, but it seems more arrogant than anything else...showing what I view as "suffering". In light of this topic, I think it's important to mention those who are suffering "more prominently" for the Gospel (in my opinion). Please remember to pray on a continual basis for:

*our brothers and sisters fighting on the spiritual frontlines here in the U.S. by consistently and purposefully going out to share the Gospel with those who haven't heard or have previously rejected it

*the youth in our nation who are fighting the enemy of peer pressure and media to stay true to their First Love, and are proclaiming the Gospel to the next generation

*our brothers and sisters who are travelling or have moved overseas in order to further His kingdom by reaching the lost in the "unreached" places

*our brothers and sisters in third-world countries, where there are no missionaries helping them, so they fight for the Gospel alone

Sorry if I went on too long, this is just something that's really on my heart and I have to remember as well to pray for these. There is a war being fought; and though we know the outcome, we are required as Christians to still do our part on this journey towards our final Destination!

Scientific Atheist?

Hello friends!

My cousin contacted me about a friend of hers who's been challenging her beliefs by asking her several questions. So my cousin contacted me to see if I could help her out at all.

The friend (we'll call him John) calls himself a scientific atheist and, while he isn't completely sold on the idea, evolution seems to be the best theory that he's found so far.

John mentioned he believes that if religion was completely erased from our world history and future, that we would not have the problems we do today.

He stated that he would have preferred Christianity to be a bit more complex than just a "do good and you go to heaven, do bad and you burn in hell" kind of thing.

So I emailed my cousin back and gave her very few resources. I checked the Desiring God website too and sent her an article. But I remembered a message that was given (at least I think it was a message) about how old the Bible is, and comparing it to other historical, published documents (to prove the validity of the Bible) but I can't remember who said it and I can't seem to find that info on the internet. I would love the opportunity to be in contact with "John" myself so that I can discuss issues with him! But we'll see how God directs this. =) Can someone help me?

Suffering

Ahh, the time-change. Not a fan of the whole spring-forward part. =) Anyway, this quote pretty much knocked my socks off!

“Whatever makes us more and more able to enjoy making much of God is a mercy. For there is no greater joy than joy in the greatness of God. And if we must suffer to see this and savor it most deeply, then suffering is a mercy. And Christ’s call to take up our cross and join Him on the Calvary road is love.”

John Piper (Don’t Waste Your Life)

It is so amazing to me, how much I have distorted true reality into this warped illusion that I live. Real life, as the Christian should live it, consists of trials and sufferings...just like everyone else in the world...only difference: Christians have the marvelous hope in the Saviour because the "story" did not stop at the tomb. It didn't even stop at the resurrection. The Story made it's glorious transition when Christ ascended from this fallen world to His Home, where He is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us all! What GLORIOUS hope we have!

Oh, that I would see suffering as a mercy, and not as a curse, as I so often do. Then would I find joy in the midst of my trials, and find comfort in seeing God's sovereign hand over my life. I LOVE that last line: "Christ's call to take up our cross and join Him on the Calvary road is LOVE"...when I try to picture that, I don't picture Christ lovingly handing me a cross, me eagerly taking hold of it and skipping down the path of life. I picture a huge, rugged, splinter-full cross being placed on my back and me reluctantly taking it...out of religious duty, and trudging down the path. Why do I not remember that the sufferings I endure cheerfully in this life will be rewarded to me in the next? Why do I not remember that the trials I endure now are nothing compared to those who are physically suffering for the Gospel? If I am easily shaken at the uncertainty of my future, do I think it will be a breeze to be persecuted for my faith?

O Father, let me see suffering as a mercy from You, that I may lift my eyes off myself and see You more clearly! Help me to joyfully accept my burdens as signs of love and care from You.

Amen.

Singles Dinner

Okay, so I get to brag on my brothers in Christ a little. =)

LAST Thursday, the guys in my Singles Caregroup decided to make dinner for all us ladies in the care group...and yes, I said "made". We're not talking spaghetti here, folks. I walked in with Ariel...not really knowing WHAT to expect. David greeted us from the porch (where he was grilling chicken) and said we could pick up one of the long-stemmed roses that was waiting for us by the stairs (first surprise!).

Then Jeremy and Eric greeted us from the kitchen where they were putting the finishing touches on a freshly-made salad, green beans, hot bread, and an alfredo pasta dish that I had never had before (lasagna noodles rolled up and set in alfredo sauce, it was really good!). Then Daryll brought out a 7-layer dessert that we all enjoyed! It consisted of pudding, bananas, vanilla wafers, chocolate chips, cherries, cherry sauce, and whipped cream. Yum!

It was a wonderfully relaxed evening. We just sat and talked while we ate, and then when we were done we played "have you ever"...I think that's what it's called...where everyone sits in a circle and one person stands in the middle and says something like "If you've ever...gone swing dancing on a friday night (then you have to get up and find another chair to sit in without ending up in the middle)". It was a lot of fun, though people did get ruthless...especially some of the girls. ;) But thankfully nobody got hurt...too bad.

Anyway, thanks to all the guys who made that evening possible. It was really special and we all appreciated it.