2011- year of abundance

I’ve taken some time over the past several days to reflect on 2011. Each New Year brings new resolutions, new goals, new ideas, etc. I’m not much of a new year’s resolution kind of person because I would probably be setting myself up for failure. However, every December I try to reflect back over the past year and recognize all that has happened. That sounds so nostalgic, but I think we all need to take a step back, give thanks to Jesus for all He has done and all He has allowed us to go through in order to draw us closer to Him. Some years seem to go better than others, but I think we can all find at least a few things to give thanks for.

For me, 2011 has definitely been the best year of my life. A lot seemed to go my way, even the things that didn't seem to be at the time! So, I made a list of the highlights from this past year.

-Umm…I got married. If that’s not a life-changer, I don’t know what is. I have seen the grace of God on a whole new level through the gift of marriage. It has been awesome to actually just live life with someone else, and experience everyday grace. I was so stressed about being the “perfect wife,” and to be honest, I really did not know what to expect, but since May, I have learned that each day brings new joys, trials, and experiences. We both mess up, and I still can’t cook more than about 5 different entres, but such is life, and what better way to experience that than with your best friend! I am definitely NOT the perfect wife I strived for, and because of that, God’s grace shines through so much brighter! I fall more and more in love with him each day. He is still a Florida Gator fan, and a pretty hardcore one at that, but I'll have many more years to hopefully change that.

-I’ve realized what an incredible opportunity and gift I have been given to be able to show the unconditional love and grace of Jesus to someone. Jesus has chosen me to be that to Daniel, and although I sometimes fail, I get to wake up and have another chance at it the very next day!

-God has shown me in 2011 that He HAS to be my everything. I’ve realized that “He must become greater, I must become less.” (John 3:30). He has allowed me to play a part in some really cool opportunities over the past year, big and small, especially since we have moved to Anderson. It has definitely made me rely on Him more as He has given us everything we need.

-I learned how important true, genuine friendship is through those all around me, while Daniel and I were preparing to get married. Jesus was and is so evident in so many people who are close to us.--Family and friends just completely made our dreams come true. I admire them and think the world of them, and I am forever grateful for their love and support they gave us before we got married. For real, we wouldn’t have been able to have a wedding if it weren’t for so many wonderful people who sacrificed A LOT!

-I moved up to Anderson in May, after we got married, and we love it here! In the past 6 months we have bought a house, had great jobs (his being a little more consistent than mine.) And last, but not least, we adopted a puppy named Charlie Moses. He’s a crazy pup, but we adore him.

-We joined and got plugged in a local church with such an overflow of Jesus and with tons of amazing people. We’ve learned so much and grown a lot closer to the Lord, and we have met some fascinating people who have been such an inspiration to me. I’ve learned more and more of the importance of being plugged into a local church, as well as how much each and every person matters to God. I’ve been able to see so many miracles as people have given their lives to Jesus.

-I’ve literally seen the “sun stand still” in the lives of my family. In the midst of an unwanted, broken situation, such as a divorce, God has shown Himself to be so much more powerful. My parents’ divorce went final in March, two months before my own wedding. Like so many other people, I have seen why God hates divorce. It brings a lot of pain. My pain was nothing like the pain I have seen in my parents, especially my dad. I prayed for God to do something to turn it into good. Although I wish nothing more for my parents to be together and in love, they have turned to God over the past several months. My dad looks the best I have ever seen Him, and He has actually shown me what it means to spend time with and pour into “the least of these.” He has been living on Tybee Island, and he started going to church down there, and he volunteers in a couple different organizations down there. I’m really proud of Him because He is so passionate about helping others. My mom actually came to church up here in Anderson with us in October. She loved it! I know she was definitely moved by it. She said she was going to start going to a non-denominational church in Savannah. Only God could do all of this. I’m really proud of them.

-I cannot believe my little brother is a senior in High School! I am more proud of him than ever. He’s a beast in football, and he’s waiting to hear back from some colleges about playing at the next level. Whether he does or not, I pray everyday that He will realize what an incredible opportunity he has been given through all of that. It's crazy how much you miss your family after you move away.

-I read through the entire bible in 2011 for the first time. I’m going to celebrate that because I read some crazy awesome stuff that I had never even heard of before. If it hadn't been for Tammy Gann encouraging all of us to do that, I probably still wouldn't have taken the time to read through 1 and 2 Kings, and they're now actually 2 of my favorite books in the bible! I definitely developed a deeper love for God’s word, and Daniel and I are going to read through it again in 2012.

-I’ve loved living in the same city as one of my favorite people, my Aunt Doris. She is one of the most selfless people I know, and I appreciate all she has done for us.

-I’ve gained more family! I’ve learned the importance of family through the Stall’s. Their family is so much closer than my family ever has been. They have such genuine love for each other, and they value time with one another. They have taken me in and accepted me, and I am grateful for that!

-We have gained some kind, wonderful, new friends since we have lived in Anderson. I've really treasured the time I've had with them since we've moved here, and I appreciate the people who have poured so much into us and given us something to look up to :)

-I jumped out of an airplane in April, in Florida, on my bachelorette weekend, thanks to some special people who surprised me and outdid themselves, and made that possible.

-Probably, most importantly, God has provided! We have a long way to go from where we want to be, but we have learned that "you can't outgive God." He has given us all we need, yet we still have to depend on Him to provide. That's a good place to be. He's also turned closed doors into open doors.

Obviously 2011 has been my best and most favorite year yet. I’m so grateful for each and every opportunity I have had over the past year. I’m thankful for just everyday life with those around me, and I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store. I know that Jesus has the same for you too. Let’s seek Him first, with eyes wide open to all in store for us! Happpppyyy Neewww Yeaaaarrrr!!

lately...

So, I've been such a bad blogger. I haven't written anything in a loooonngg time. For the past couple of weeks, I have been trying to find the time to write something, and there is so much to update on. But I thought about it today, and I think I just need to quit trying to ramble, and just keep it simple from now on.

The past month or so has been a little up and down. Things at the job at New Foundations didn't work out as I had planned. I haven't worked as many hours as I previously thought, and most of the hours available are 3rd shift and/or weekend. And let's face it, it's tough. So tough. No other way to put it. It stretches me. But God has been so faithful, and it's been so amazing to see Him do something in me that only He could do. He has built up my faith so much, because He has worked everything out so perfectly over the past month. I've been able to spend time, encourage, and build up kids at NF, and I sit back, and wonder why He trusts me so much. He has never left my side, and I still feel confident that in some way, He has used me to be a light of hope in such a dark place. But to say it has been hard would be an understatement.

Also, I have been able to babysit a couple of days a week, all day, for a beautiful, amazing family, with 3 boys! I feel so spoiled for getting to hang out with them and spend time with them. It really brings me so much joy. God trusts me to play a part, no matter how small, in their lives. I've also been able to help out a little more at church during the week, and even just those couple of hours is so awesome to be able to follow up with people and encourage them. Although everything I do is SO small, I am so thankful that God trusts me to do the things I've been able to take part in/witness everyday.

God is revealing to me what it means to be faithful with what is right in front of me. The worst thing any of us could do with our life is to be lazy and content. I've struggled with that over the past couple of months, because I have felt that way. I have felt like I wasn't doing enough. But, it all comes down to perspective. Sometimes I have to take a step back and look at the beautiful, amazing work that God is doing right in front of me and in my life. Then, it is my responsibility to act, using the heart, wisdom, strength, love, and faith that God has given me to actually give His 100%.

During our pre-marital counseling, Stewart Moody emphasized to us the importance of being intentional in our relationships, and of course, especially in our marriage. I think that is some of the most important advice I have ever received. Intentional basically means doing something with a purpose. As disciples and followers of Christ, we are called/commanded to be intentional, and carry out what God has given us with excellence. (Colossians 3:23). We are going to be held accountable for it now, and more importantly, when we finally face our creator face to face when we go to heaven.

So, what are you facing today that you need God to help you give 100%? Psalm 28:7 says, "The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy." How am I allowing Him to be my everything so I can actually give 100% with what He has entrusted to me in the first place?Everything we do: working, serving, building relationships, etc needs to be done with a purpose. I know that I need God to help me be faithful with what is right in front of me. God has called me to love people and give them a purpose and a hope for something that is bigger than themselves. I am so imperfect…we all are. I'm probably even more imperfect than the average person. But He keeps trusting me by giving opportunities. I want to make my perfect, heavenly Father proud.

I am so thankful for how God has provided for us, not just financially, but more importantly, He has given us every.single.thing.we.need….plus so much more. As we grow, learn, and mature, God will keep pointing us in the right direction by giving us opportunities. So, although we are an imperfect people, let us allow God to shine through us(Matthew 5:16), and make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16).

Each and every thing we do, person we talk to, experience we have should be used to show off God's goodness. I know that if I just keep that in mind, He can easily do the rest.

"Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith." --Galatians 6:1-10

What I learned from being a Sociology Major

In my Introduction to Social Work Class, fall semester of my Sophomore year of college, I learned that as a social worker, the best empowering tool I can have and give someone is The Strength's Perspective. This perspective looks at the inherent strengths of a person or family, and then builds on those strengths, reframing any negative thought about a person, and finding good in them, even in the worst situation. It has stuck with me ever since, and it made the most impact in my education at GSU.

So, what if we looked at each and every person around us from this perspective? I think the main thing that holds people back from really making a difference, in their own backyard and to the ends of the world, is because of an identity crisis on 2 different levels.

1) Not putting your faith, trust, and belief in Jesus Christ….Do you really believe you are saved by Him? If you are, you would know 100%---(Jesus is the ONLY way, truth, and life.--John 14:6-7….also read John 3:1-21, Romans 10:9, Romans 6:23)

2) Insecurity and a feeling of uselessness. (Charles Dickens once said, "No one is useless in the world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else). Our identity should come from Christ. The living word of God tells us over and over again that if we are a child of God, we were created to do awesome amazing things, because the one in us is greater than this world filled with hate, injustice, and death….John 16:33, also read John 10:10, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 3:20, and Jeremiah 29:11)

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of seeing one of the best bands our history has ever known. U2!!!!!!!!!! And we got to go see them Nashville! How cool is that?! It was a Christmas gift from Daniel, and we made a little one day/night trip out of it. So, we weren't on the first row or anything…actually we were in the nose bleed section, but it didn't matter! Ok, so I had heard a little of U2's story before, and Bono's faith journey, and their passion for several different social justice movements, especially aids. But as we walked on the Vanderbilt campus and made our way into the stadium, little did I know that I was about to partake in a time of worship with my Lord. Call me crazy, but there is power in that music because of the meaning behind some of the songs. Put that with a man doing his part to not only make people aware of a dying world around them, but he is acting on it. Since we've been back, I've been more and more intrigued by what I've read and seen about how they have used what they have: their obvious, God-given talents and abilities to change the world, and make Jesus' name famous, and encourage the church to be dangerous and powerful, like it was intended to be. You may be thinking I'm crazy, but I ask you to read about it for yourself and match it up to God's word. This video is kinda cool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dingVac1W1g), but if you have time, I hope their story will encourage you like it has done to me if you have time to read about it. I know 100% where I stand with Jesus, and I know I'm definitely an imperfect…and it's been obvious over the last 30 or so years that Bono and the band aren't saints either. I'm sure they've done some messed up stuff! But so have I. I know they'll be judged, by God alone, just like you and me, but I know there will also be thousands, if not millions of people in heaven that will greet them and say "thanks for giving me hope, and for clothing me, and feeding me. Thanks for showing me faith by what you do..by loving me." But what will be said of you and me?

The only reason I even bring up the band U2 is for 2 reasons: to brag about me getting to see them live, but more importantly, to show how these guys, with an emphasis on the lead singer, have taken what they are good at, made music(powerful music with a purposeful message behind so many of the songs, that makes people think and know that life is about something far greater than ourselves…),they spread a message, and ACTED!… BONO CHALLENGES THE CHURCH TO BE ALL JESUS INTENDED FOR IT TO BE…and help people, one at a time, using our unique, God-given gifts. They've made millions and millions and given a lot of it away to help those in need. They've shown that it's not about what you have, it's about what you do with what you have. Bono is quoted for saying, "As a rock star, I have two instincts, I want to have fun, and I want to change the world. I have a chance to do both." He uses what he is good at to make a difference in the world, which may or may not be the same gifts you have.

So what are you good at? If you don't know, pray for God to show you. Pray to be burdened…and pray for boldness. Also, we should be encouraging one another and building each other up, letting God speak through us to help others see what they can contribute(1 Thessalonians 5:11 and Ephesians 4:29).Everyone needs to know that they have something to contribute. Also, as Christians, we are called to be "followers" of Christ. We read the bible and we're amazed, and then we look at the world around us, and it doesn't really look the same. It's easy to fall into the trap of feeling like there are so many injustices and problems and causes in the world that need attention, and it seems hopeless, so we just conform to it. I think that is my problem. I get so sucked into the beautiful picture of the gospel, and the life of Jesus, and cool people like Nehemiah and Moses and Joshua, and Paul…and on and on….and obviously, the abundant LOVE of God is all over that. I look at a life like Jesus Christ, a perfect life…And I look at other people today who have done crazy, radical things, or started some cool program, organization, or foundation to help people, and I think that I could never do that. But I'm starting to see that this is the wrong mentality. What are we doing with what we are taught in the word and in church? And with what we sing about in church? Why can't it just start with trying to make one person's life better? Instead of trying to think of ways to save the world (I used to do this, and I would jump from one cause to another, burdened by everything…sex trafficking, aids, hunger, clean water, homelessness, abortion, etc). It would almost overwhelm me, and then I would just give up and accept it because I would view it as hopeless.

But my perspective is changing more and more as I learn more about Jesus and am challenged by what He demands from the church. Instead of listening to the voices of doubt, I need to remember that I can't do everything, but I can do something…and so can you!! Daniel and I have been consistently burdened by hunger around the world and in our own backyard. I cannot fathom why I get to have good food, a roof over my head, warm showers, clean water, etc while most of the world doesn't.Anyways, that's a whole new blog for a different day. But God has burdened us with this to the point that it's making me actually sacrifice some things and make decisions based on it. We're praying to not be ignorant about this. We're expecting more opportunities, and we're starting to act more. Praise God. We know that we aren't the best with communicating the beautiful message of the gospel, and you may feel that way too, but God shines through all of that when we are willing to go out of our way for Him. So..there are hundreds of homeless people in our county, there are thousands of kids wanting to be sponsored through compassion, world vision, or other programs I don't even know about, there are millions of of people begging to sponsor a well that will bring them clean water, millions of kids burdened by aids, millions of people who need shoes or life saving sugeries, or people who are begging for someone to help them have education, or millions of innocent people who are taken advantage of and forced to do the unthinkable, or the almost half of pregnancies that end in abortion…you catch my drift?

Ephesians 5:1-2 says we are to follow Jesus' example,and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. We need to be sacrificing ourselves for our brothers and our sisters around the world… Jesus loved me even when I was useless to Him. He made a way and set an example for us to follow. The church is a dangerous weapon against the devil, but if we're not careful, it will be easy to prevent the church from shining like it is intended to….by being imitators of Jesus Christ--His hands and feet to a broken world. The only way we can do this though is if each and every one of us would BEG God to burden our heart with a cause. According to Ephesians 2, we were saved by grace through faith, which wasn't our own doing. It was so we could do wonderful things for God, because we are His MASTERPIECE! (verse 9).

So what burdens you? How can you help just one person even, and make Jesus and His CHURCH's name famous for doing wonderful things, instead of being so inwardly focused? The cool thing is, when you find out what you're good at, and when you use the "strength's perspective" to look for the best in yourself and others, giving hope to one person will turn into giving hope to much more. Let's look for ways to help as we find what we're passionate about. Let's look for the best in each other, as believers, instead of tearing one another down. Then the church will be unstoppable.

*1 John 3:16: "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters."

*James 2:5-18: "Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

God is faithful, no matter what!

God has been showing me daily, especially over the past three weeks just how faithful He is.

As Christians, we feel like we're supposed to proclaim that "God is faithful," even when we feel that He isn't for some reason. Hebrews 11, the great chapter of faith, says in verse 6 that without faith, it is impossible to please God. But do we really believe that God is faithful and that He wants His children to experience His BEST?

God has been so faithful to Daniel and me. I know that I have done nothing to deserve the Lord's faithfulness, but I do know that in everything that He has given me, He expects it to be used for His glory. If I look back over the past 23 and a half years of my life, God has proved faithful in the hard times and the good times. Isn't it cool to look back and see every single little detail pointed straight to Him? Even when we didn't see it at the time?

The first, and number 1 step, has been for me to know full well that without God, I am nothing. I am learning slowly but surely, that God has made me His masterpiece, created to do great and wonderful things in life, but this is only because of His grace. (Ephesians 2:4-10). As I surrender my life, detail by detail to the LORD, I see that without Him I am nothing, but with Him I am unstoppable.

Just in the past several weeks, He has:

--given me a job that I love (A job that can eventually turn into an even bigger opportunity at this school in August).

--He has practically given us a house, that has started being built!! And we should be moving in at the end of August. I mean He has given us a freaking house! I know He'll continue to provide us with those mortgage payments too :)

--He has sustained Daniel's job, and used him in so many people's lives through the hospital. I'm so proud of him.

--He has given us food to eat every single day, and occasionally, we even get to go out to eat, and somebody else cooks for us.

--We live above the means of 99% of the world's population, so we are rich. (ps: if you're reading this, you probably have a computer, so in all fairness, if you really stop and think perspectively, you'll see that you are rich, too) (if you make more than $45,000 a year, you are in the top 1% of wage earners in the world. So that would make you richer than 99% of the world as well) So we are rich by the world's standard, but the real issue is: "how do we honor Him with what we've been given?)

--He has led us to an awesome church that we LOVE here...NewSpring Church. It was hard to leave such a spirit/love/God filled church like Connection Church, but He has provided for us here. There is no better gift than the local church!! We've already had 2 open doors to serve Him and help build His kingdom. Daniel has started serving and volunteering with kids with special needs in the children's ministry), (which is a really cool ministry at our church), and I've been given the opportunity to volunteer and serve on the care team on Sundays. So God has been faithful in giving us the opportunity to serve Him.

--He has led us to meeting some cool people in the community to help. Hopefully we'll take full advantage of those opportunities as He keeps presenting them. We've failed at some, and probably didn't handle them the way He would have intended, but He has been faithful in giving us more opportunities.

--He has brought us into a small group through our church, which definitely shows His faithfulness because we've been praying for that! And it has already helped us to meet people, build community,and be changed and challenged by His word. This has really been pushing me more and more to come to the conclusion that in every aspect of my life, I have to let Him speak through me, and He will one again prove He is faithful. I have deep pride issues that I didn't even know I had, and He is showing me that all I need is Him for people to like who I am as a person, and if they don't, it's ok :)

--He has been faithful in teaching us so much about Him!…especially the principles of being generous, and I cannot tell you enough how much more He has blessed us.

--He has given us times with each other and with friends, that we will always remember. We got to go to Carowinds this past Monday with Mandi and Matthew, and this weekend, we're going to see U2 in Nashville! Dang, God is faithful! haha.

God really has been faithful to us, but He does expect it to be used for His glory and kingdom. I'm terrible when it comes to comparing myself to others, and it has only left me feeling sad, and it made me think less of my God. But God gives us according to His plan to make HIS name great. How cool is that?--That He gives us the opportunity to serve Him and honor Him with what He has blessed us with. Luke 12:48 says, "When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." Also, one of my favorite verses, Luke 16:10-12: "“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?"

Anything that He has given us, He can take away. But isn't is amazing to know that God knows what is best for us and He is patient with us, so when He does take something away from us, it is for His glory, and He will continue to take care of us: (2 Peter 3:9 and Romans 2:4)

We need to remember God's faithfulness, even when things aren't working out perfectly for us. He gives us HOPE in the hard times, through the bible! If you are His child, and you know He is faithful, you know you are nothing without Him, and you have really put your trust in Him, and you've told Him that, then there is no hard time in which you can't look back and say, "you know what, even during that time, God was and is faithful." Think about it, be glad about it, believe it, and read about it in the bible. Even in the hard times, God is still God, and God is still good. Do you believe that?

**In Lamentations 3:19-27, things are rough for Jeremiah. He is frustrated with the people around him, and God may seem absent, but he declares: "The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! "The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline."

**2 Corinthians 4:16-18 never gets old: "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."

**Revelation 3:8: "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me."

**2 Peter 3:9 demonstrates that the Lord is patient and always keeps His promises: "The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."

**Romans 2:4: "Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?"

And of course, Romans 8:28: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I can read His word, and remember His promises, and then inscribe them on my heart so I can rejoice and praise Him (and not myself) in the good times, and also remember His promises, so I can be prepared for the unfavorable times.

How are we using what He has given us? Are we taking advantage of it, into our own hands, to meet our selfish desires and make our name great? Or are we using it to make HIS name great?

Anyways, this is our life. God is faithful. We have a lot to be thankful for at the end of every day!

The past month has definitely been a season of favor, with so much to be thankful for.

In the past week we've joined a church up here and gotten plugged in and started serving through it, survived being sick, had some health tests come back with no problems, checked out Haven of Rest some more, and….I GOT A JOB! It's pretty cool how it all worked out, and completely not of me. I was looking for a job, but not really looking, (if that makes sense) because we've been trying to get pre-approved for a house, but long story short, our mortgage loaner told me to not get a job until the end of August when we'll probably close on the house. Well, a family friend of ours, Ms. Minister Kathy Borders , works at the Montessori school here in Anderson, and she's heading up the summer program there for the 3, 4, and 5 year olds. Well, they needed an assistant, so she told me to put in an application. Well, after a day, I had a job! Didn't see that coming! I guess my major should have been child and family development. jk. I'll learn by experience. I love people in general, and I know that this opportunity has come from nothing else but my faithful God, and I know that He has and will give me everything I need to bring glory to Him through it. (2 Peter 1:3). God even made a way for the job to work out with us getting approved because for right now, it's just considered a summer job. However, in August, it could lead to something else! :) Maybe it will lead to something more, maybe not. But how cool is it to be given an opportunity, and to just throw yourself into it, and rely on God to give you what He knows is best for you.. God really is faithful and never-failing, and I'm so excited about the opportunity. I'm pumped to learn from Ms. Kathy because she is amazing with the kids and she is such an awesome woman of God, so it's just a great experience all the way around. Montessori schools are so cool too. They focus on interactive learning and learning through experiece, and the kids are so independent. I was able to meet some of the kids and observe the program for a little while last week, and I had so much fun. That is such a cool age. There is no 3, 4, and 5 year old that is the same. All of their personalities are so fun and unique, and I know I'll learn a lot!

As things continue to work out in our favor, and God continues to confirm that He has plans for us here, the more that I have this fear of becoming too comfortable. Last night, in a little authentic Mexican restaurant, Daniel and I talked about what we truly desire, which is to not have a boring life…and to be able to just get up and go help those who need it when we are able to. Ephesians 5:15-17 says: "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." James 4:14 says that our life is like a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. Our world is so content with just being comfortable, and being like everyone else. But I want to do things that other people think are weird.

Speaking of Weird, I'm reading this book right now called "Weird" and God is kicking my butt in the place that I struggle with the most, which is how I manage my time. Mark Driscoll says that whatever you do, be all there. My head is constantly racing with things that need to get done, what's going on with other people, and what I can be doing better. I can't even give the people I'm with my full attention. I'm one of those people that tries to take on way more than I can handle, and then I'll burn out and quit all of it. So, I think as believers, we have to take a step back and know that even the good things in life may not be in the will of God for our lives. Instead of trying to take on every single thing (although they are good things) that is thrown at us--every opportunity to serve, every opportunity to volunteer, helping with every single need in the church, etc.--we need to pour our time into what is "better" for us. If we don't then we can't be most effective. Anyways, it's a great book. It was actually an amazing feeling to go observe something in our church last week and decide not to commit to it because of the dreams we have that just so happen to be better for us. Although it was an amazing ministry through our church, we both knew that it would only be adding another thing to our lists because there are other things that we're more passionate about. We're pumped about the Care ministry(me) and special needs part of the children's ministry(daniel), but we know that we want to still have time to devote to outside the church walls. And we're still growing in the original dreams we've had. So, we'll see what comes from all of that :)

The past 5 weeks have been heavenly. I'm learning so much about what it means to love someone to the core of who they really are. I've learned things that I'm weak in, and I'm slowly working through those things :) I'm learning how Daniel and I are different, and most importantly, I'm learning what an amazing witness a marriage can be. I've been able to truly rest and take a breather. Now that we're members of a church here and we're getting involved, hopefully we can meet some cool people outside of our jobs. Everything will come in its timing. Life is good. Praise God!

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." --Colossians 4:23

"Good and Perfect"

I don't think words can ever express how incredibly happy I am. The past month has certainly flown by, and there have been so many changes in my life and the lives of those closest to me. Daniel and I are living in Anderson, SC, and married life is even a hundred times better than I ever thought it could be. For starters, I get to live with my best friend…but not just live together, but experience life to its fullest with him. I mean, we still don't know too many people our age, but life has been so amazing, and we know that will come with time. Right now, it's been great to just rely on each other and rely on God. The gift of marriage is truly amazing. Living with Daniel Stall never gets old. Our apartment doesn't look its finest, and we don't have furniture, but I'm sure we'll eventually get everything done and unpacked! I know I'm in that "honeymoon phase," and I'm not going to say that living with a boy hasn't taken some getting used to, but I never thought that things would fall into place this perfectly. I've even improved on my cooking skills, which has led us to cook almost every night! We're sooo thankful for everything we received as gifts, and we've been able to make homemade ice cream (which is da bomb, by the way), quesadillas, gourmet salads- haha, homemade pizza, chopped up vegetables, amazing smoothies, good chicken, etc…. All of the eating made us finally join a gym, and since Daniel works at the hospital, we get to both go for $30 total! It's not 180 fitness or anything, but it's still that hometown gym feel..We're determined not to gain that married weight! haha..The eating has been good though! My aunt is always here too to feed us and give us her leftovers from Trader Joe's! I'm thankful for the time we've had with my aunt and cousins too! And I think us moving here couldn't have come at a better time as far as that is concerned. We miss our families in Statesboro and Savannah too, but we know that we're supposed to be here, and that feels good :) And like I said, living with my best friend and experiencing all that married life has to offer has been amazing! Oh yeah, and I've been able to watch TV again..it's crazy…I've barely watched tv over the past 5 years, but I can tell you anything that's going on in the world right now thanks to Fox News, and we're even starting to watch LOST again, and I would have never said this, but it's soooo good!

We're already blown away by how much there is to do here! This is the start of my third week here, and while I miss everyone, I'm so pumped about the ministry opportunity here. We're joining our church this Sunday night, and then we can start volunteering, and hopefully join a small group sometime soon. We've known from the time Daniel moved here last September and we got engaged last October that we didn't want to just move here and be comfortable. We both know that we're supposed to be here for some time ( I mean, Daniel was literally just given an amazing job with awesome benefits, after only a week after he showed interest!) And we know we should settle here with the expectation to be here for awhile, but we still don't want to get comfortable with life, and we're expecting HUGE things. About 2 to 3 months ago, NewSpring told Daniel about a ministry called Haven of Rest. We've been talking to them a little bit more, and I had the opportunity to get a tour today and talk about some opportunities through the ministry. Haven of Rest is a Christ-centered ministry that is more than just a homeless shelter, and more than just rehab for addiction, but it's about a total body recovery. They provide food, clothing, shelter to homeless men and women through several different homes and programs around Anderson County. It's non-profit, and 50 years old!!, which gives glory to God that it has sustained itself through donations and a lot of volunteers! But the thing I love the most about it is the thrift stores, farm, food service, and other projects that the people in the program get to take part in, in order to give them purpose and integrate them back into society, thus rehabilitating the whole person! ---> which is the most important thing I have learned over the past 5 years. They're already letting me get plugged in and help plan the annual silent auction/dinner night they're having in August, and I get to go with Heather (one of the coordinators) tomorrow to the women's house to meet everyone there! Anyways, they have a cool website if you want to learn more: http://www.havenofrest.cc/index.html

The main reason why I've been so ecstatic over the past month is because I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. God has completely paved this path for Daniel and I, and He has provided us with everything we have needed. Our prayer has been to not grow ignorant to the world around us, when we have been given so much. It has also been for Him to provide us with our daily bread everyday and for a house to live in!…ANNDDD…HE HAS! We were given a realtor through a family friend (Gwen Burnette through Prudential Realty in Anderson..if you're looking for a great realtor in Anderson, she is great!) And we put an offer on the perfect house, not thinking the builder would take it, but HE DID! We have pretty much been given the most amazing deal on a house, in a perfect, cute little neighborhood, in the perfect school district…We were required to look for a house in a certain district, but we couldn't find that perfect house before we got married, and then a couple weeks ago, there it was! Basically, it's perfect, which shows that it is from God alone, and I cannot tell you enough how much He deserves the glory. James 1:17 says, "Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." Anyways, if everything this week continues to work in our favor, then they will start building (the house plan that we got to pick out!), and it should be finished at the end of August (fingers crossed), which is the exact time our lease runs out here!

We've been learning individually and collectively what it truly means to give. I have to be honest, over the past several years, I have not given abundantly based on how God has given to me, but over the past 6 months or so, I've been breaking down some barriers as I've been learning more and more what GOD says about giving, and not just giving based on what I want to give. Daniel has encouraged me so much in this, and although it could always be much more, God has blessed us for what we have given. Finances is the only subject in the bible that God says to test Him with, and I could talk forever about how He has blessed us. We feel rich..for real. Money just keeps showing up. We're reading a book by a pastor out in Texas, named Robert Morris, called "The Blessed Life," and it has already given us a new perspective! You should read it!

Although things are great in Anderson, it has taken quite an adjustment to leave our friends in Statesboro…especially the ones that I've gotten so close with over the past 5 years…people that have played a huge part in my life in so many ways...definitely the best friends I will ever have. We felt sooo loved before we got married, and we will forever be grateful for all the love, support, prayers, and encouragement we both got from our friends and family. Basically, our wedding ceremony would have never been the same if it weren't for all of them. I mean, people threw us showers, gave us gifts, gave us the best bachelorette/ bachelor weekends, took me skydiving!, gave us food, and made our dream wedding come true. In the midst of missing everyone, I know that this is life, and it helps when I look at every single one of my friends and am almost brought to tears by how great each and every one of them is because of how God has changed their lives and given them sooo many opportunities too!! So, then I go from missing them and bring sad to being filled with *JOY* because of the potential for Daniel and me here, and the potential for everyone in Satesboro…I see all of the incredible, amazing opportunities that all of those closest to me are experiencing...from going to poverty and crisis stricken Guatemala, to internships, to ministry opportunities, to new jobs, to married adventures, to leadership opportunities, to student teaching and a month in England, to new teaching and job opportunities, to door-openings at church, to learning what it means to live day to day and not worry…to awards like Teacher of the Year, and I could go on and on…There is so much anticipation and joy that I'm filled with happiness for everyone.

Sorry this has been so long. I really want to try and Blog more now that I'm married and have sooo many adventures with my husband. We are probably the weirdest people you will ever meet, but we're also learning that normal is so lame. (ROMANS 12!!!). I know that I'm in the perfect place with the perfect person, and feeling more confident than ever that although life may not always be this happy and perfect, I DO know now that any trial that comes before my husband and me has to go through God, and the more we seek Him and are content with just HIM,the more life will continue to make sense even when the world is in chaos. I also know that one day a long time from now when Daniel and me may face trials in our marriage (apparently people love to tell you this), we will know 100% that it is only because of God that we were brought together in the first place, and therefore nothing can tear us apart. So much makes sense now. I know now why marriage is a *GIFT* given from God, and when it's based on His plans, it is amazing and perfect. I really do see it now. Anyways, we'll see what happens here! Please come visit us! Everyone is invited!!

Romans 12- Place Your Life Before God

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.

If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good."

Gratitude

New Year. New You.

Happy New Year :)

As I've entered into this new year, God has been showing me a little more about thankfulness...not just the kind of thanks that i half-heartedly pray to God on a daily basis...but actual THANKFULNESS! I have felt convicted because I feel like when one is thankful for something, he or she should express it. Luke 6:45 says, "out of the overfow of the mouth, the heart speaks." Gratitude shouldn't be invisible or silent. I heard a quote on a podcast the other night from elevation church: "Gratitude is never invisible or silent. You can't be grateful to God who you can't see, and not express it to the people, (who were made in His image) that you can see. When I am grateful to others, I am in effect, grateful to God, and when I'm grateful to God, I am grateful to others. If you're truly grateful for what God has done in your life, you will find a way to express it."

Psalm 69:30-34 says, "I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live! The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them."

Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says,"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

I've been learning that God wants to see and hear my gratitude...not because it makes Him feel better, or because He needs it, but because He likes to see me at a place in which I know that without Him in my life, I am nothing. So, I figured I would make a list of all God did to bless me in 2010...

**I'm thankful that God has put me in situations in 2010 that have challenged my salvation, because he has used every single opportunity to show me that He is sovereign and I need Him.

**I'm thankful that I am healthy and alive, and that it is only by the grace of God that I am able to wake up everyday, especially since over 50,000 people die each day of poverty related causes. Not sure what I did to deserve this food, clothing, and shelter that I have, but the least I can do is give thanks.

**I'm thankful that in 2010, I made the decision to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. The year has flown by, and it seems like not that long ago, last January, that we finally admitted that there was something deeper between us than just good friends who laughed and made fun of each other, flirted, spent a lot of time together, hung out at the pool, and watched football together. God has used Daniel so much to show me what it means to be selfless. He has shown me that being a true servant of God usually means getting no recognition for what you're doing because you have to come to a place in which you could care less about any recognition at all. My attitude has gone from me wanting glory and recognition to wanting God to get the glory and recognition. On May 7th, rain or shine, I will get to marry Daniel at a cute plantation house in a simple setting because that is everything we are together. I can only dream of what we will be doing in even 5 years from now. He is helping me to not let mydreams be just merely dreams, and he is showing me what it truly means to love someone through the eyes of Christ. I struggle at this everyday, but it has given me the opportunity to learn what it means to be a good wife, and helper. I have a lot to learn.

**I'm thankful that I actually get to have some sort of wedding ceremony when probably close to 80% of girls like me will never get to have a celebration for one of the most important days of their lives. I am thankful for all of the wonderful amazing people who have committed to playing a part in it. It would take a long time to name everyone, but know that I asked you to play some sort of role because you have changed my life.

**I'm thankful that in the midst of crap going on in my family, my parents have drawn atleast a little closer to God in the past year, and I have grown closer to them. I have probably called my dad more, and made more of an effort, in the past 3 months than i have in the rest of my life. (Romans 8:28)

**I'm thankful that in 2010 i was able to spend a total of 4 weeks in Peru on 2 seperate trips, and one week in Mexico, in which my eyes were opened, I learned more about myself, and I was able to do what I could to make His name great. I have met so many beautiful people over the past year in Peru. They have taught me so much, and I love them like family.

**I'm thankful for the ways God has used my friends this past year to help me learn more about myself. I'm thankful for the CrAzY times, as well as the serious times. They bring so much life into my what would be dull life. I don't thank God enough for them, and I don't let them know enough how crazy I am about all of them.

**I'm thankful for my roommates, Colleen, Natalie, and Emily, even though they think Im weird.

**I'm thankful for Statesboro, GA, and for all of the good times I have had here over the past almost 5 years. God used so many people here to help make me, a once 18-year old, broken, immature, selfish, person who had just gotten saved, to who I am now. I still have a long way to go, but I am so thankful for the city, the adults and families here, the churches and campus ministries, GSU, and last but not least, my best friends that I have met over the past 5 or so years. Specifically, in 2010, for how my church, Connection Church, has created a setting for me to draw close to God, learn about His plan for my life, serve Him, and meet some cool people, too. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

**Oh yeah I graduated college!

**I'm thankful for all of the children and families that we built relationships with at Little Lotts in 2010. Even though some things could have been done different, and the program is almost non-existent now, I'm thankful that I got to play a very small part for a season in putting a smile on some kid's faces.

**I'm thankful for the bible study that I have been in since a long time ago, and specifically for 2010 being able to read The Forgotten God and Radical, and for Tammy Gann for always listening to all of us.

**I'm thankful that I have a job. Although everyone wants to graduate and get a "grown up job" in their field of study, God has used my job at 180 Fitness to not only provide me with some food and rent money, but God has used that place for me to meet some incredible people that I get to see everyday. 180 fitness definitely "turned my life around," and i love the people that i see everyday there.

**I'm thankful for the beautiful family that I get to babysit and hang out with (and it also helps pay the bills). Thanks to my wonderful best friend, Colleen Cowart, who let's me share them with her.

**I'm thankful for ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, and I think it is the most wonderful place on the earth, and I about cry everytime I drive up to it when I visit and I see all of the beautiful people that I can't wait to hopefully meet when i move there. And I'm thankful that Daniel and I have already found a church that we cannot wait to join when we move there and serve God with all we have. I'm thankful Daniel got a grown-up job at the hospital there, and he loves it. I have grown up visiting family in Anderson since I was little, and I would have never thought I would have the opportunity to live there. So I am thankful for that. And it's a plus that everyone runs so much there, and there are like 3 different health food stores.

**I'm thankful that I was able to witness and take part in 4 of my beautiful friends getting married this past year.---> Meghan, Rachael, Theresa Anne, and Teresa, I am so honored that I got to stand by your side and witness you marry the love of your life.

**I'm thankful for God's forgiveness and how His grace is made new every morning. I'm thankful for all of the encouragement that comes my way everyday, which helps me to be a more encouraging person as well. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

**I'm thankful for all of the life lessons I have learned in 2010, which include:

1) Be faithful in the small things, and you will be trusted with the greater things. (Luke 16:10)

2)People are imperfect, which makes churches imperfect. It's easy to point out all the things you don't like about a church, but that would only be to hide the hardness and messed up stuff in your own heart. The real issue is what am I doing personally in order to make His name great? And what can I do in order to play a part in helping my church draw others to him?

3)Just accept God's blessing in my life, and know that He has given me certain gifts in order to give back to Him and use them for HIS glory. (Mark 12:30-31)

4)Accept love. (John 15:13)

5)He must become greater. I must become less. (John 3:30)

I've found that starting a new year is the perfect time to look back on the previous 12 months and see how far I have come---to see how I've grown and leaned from mistakes and how God has used different experiences to shape me into who I am right now. I've seen miracles happen. I've had some big changes in my own life and future. I've learned that circumstances that sucked at the time have turned around to work out for good. As we grow as Christians, we are supposed to become more and more like Christ, not just stay the same. There have been times this past year in which I felt set back from where I was supposed to be, and there have been many more times in which I found myself understanding more and more what it means to actually "give up my life and everything I cling to and hold tightly too in order to serve and please my God. I hate selfishness, and I hate slander. Not that I have mastered these things, because I can tell you that the words that come out of my mouth and the condition of my heart are sometimes not very pleasing to God.

Make a list of everything you have to be thankful for :)

LOVE-Alison