You have a choice.
You can choose to become a powerful person in response to controversy.
You have control over your response when someone says or does something that hurts you.
You are not a victim. You are victorious.
Choose today to believe the best in others.
Your joy can only be affected by what you let your mind meditate on.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Into the Wild
One word, w i l d e r n e s s .
Have you ever been in a wilderness season?
You may wonder... What do you mean?
Exactly what is a wilderness season?
I have an answer!
I read somewhere that the wilderness season in a Christian’s life is when the road becomes narrow, only wide enough for that person and God. All others fall away so that God can have His fullest and most personal time with you. Inevitably, the question your faced with in this season would be, "who are you without people?".
When thinking on wilderness, I'm reminded of one time when I encountered the wild as a child. At that time in my life, I lived on Smith Mountain Lake which sit's nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I loved it! So much nature and fresh air. I would climb tree's and go on adventures all the time. It's basically all I did.
I didn't have very many friends so most of my adventures where done alone. There is one time in particular that I remember taking the ‘adventure’ aspect too far. At the bottom of my community, just on the other side of my neighbor's barn and across the creek, stood a large mountain.. I don’t think the mountain’s name was Smith… he was just a mountain, but I had it set in my little heart to conquer him!
I voyaged out early one Saturday morning to do just that. Young Rachel had no fears. Even though I could hear the roars of wildebeest's in my bedroom at night, I continued anyways.
Have you ever been in a wilderness season?
You may wonder... What do you mean?
Exactly what is a wilderness season?
I have an answer!
I read somewhere that the wilderness season in a Christian’s life is when the road becomes narrow, only wide enough for that person and God. All others fall away so that God can have His fullest and most personal time with you. Inevitably, the question your faced with in this season would be, "who are you without people?".
When thinking on wilderness, I'm reminded of one time when I encountered the wild as a child. At that time in my life, I lived on Smith Mountain Lake which sit's nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I loved it! So much nature and fresh air. I would climb tree's and go on adventures all the time. It's basically all I did.
I didn't have very many friends so most of my adventures where done alone. There is one time in particular that I remember taking the ‘adventure’ aspect too far. At the bottom of my community, just on the other side of my neighbor's barn and across the creek, stood a large mountain.. I don’t think the mountain’s name was Smith… he was just a mountain, but I had it set in my little heart to conquer him!
I voyaged out early one Saturday morning to do just that. Young Rachel had no fears. Even though I could hear the roars of wildebeest's in my bedroom at night, I continued anyways.
The entire day was spent on this hike. I wandered through the wildflowers and down by the stream. The sky overhead adorned by the most beautiful shade of blue. A memory of complete perfection. Plus, there was a hint of rebellion knowing that mom had no clue where I was.
But then everything changed.
It seemed almost suddenly the day turned dark. The sun began to set and fast. The night became more real with every passing second. Once I stopped, I realized that just beyond the last tree in eyesight was a subdivision… not my subdivision. This wasn't good. The fearless Rachel began to panic.
What was I to do? Third grader's didn't have cellphones attached to them.
Should I go knock on a stranger’s door? I hope their safe. I hope they let me call my Mom.
Adrenaline kicked in and all common sense left me. I turn and ran. Sprinted is actually a better word. There was no way I could have gone faster. I sprinted past tree after tree and hoped over fallen brush.
But then pain happened. A thorn snagged my hand. Blood began to drip. This lovely rose had caused a grisly scene.
GREAT.
Now, not only was I lost but I was bleeding and crying. The darkness continued to fall. The sounds of night arose around me.
I arrived at the bottom of my community just as the woods turned black. I think about how lucky I was. I could have been a story you see on the 10 o’clock news, “8 yr Old Girl Missing, Where is She?"
I wasn’t missing, though. I had reached safety. In a frenzy I ran to my neighbor's doorstep. She bandaged up my wounds and offered comfort to my soul.
Fast forward to present day, that same girl who was lost on a mountain works for one of the biggest ministries in the world. I have responsibilities, an apartment, and a cat. Some would say that I've successfully navigated these first few years of adulthood.
Success doesn't mean it's been easy, though.
If we're being honest, I still feel like that little girl unsure of what's to come.
I'm in the wilderness again... but this time it's different.
Instead of freaking out, I know that God is the rock I stand on. I don't have to be afraid.
If you're in a wilderness season, that's ok... I'm in one too.
We'll get through it, you and me. He has us here for a reason. I have chosen to consecrate in my heart Paul's word's from Philippians,
"By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back"
But then everything changed.
It seemed almost suddenly the day turned dark. The sun began to set and fast. The night became more real with every passing second. Once I stopped, I realized that just beyond the last tree in eyesight was a subdivision… not my subdivision. This wasn't good. The fearless Rachel began to panic.
What was I to do? Third grader's didn't have cellphones attached to them.
Should I go knock on a stranger’s door? I hope their safe. I hope they let me call my Mom.
Adrenaline kicked in and all common sense left me. I turn and ran. Sprinted is actually a better word. There was no way I could have gone faster. I sprinted past tree after tree and hoped over fallen brush.
But then pain happened. A thorn snagged my hand. Blood began to drip. This lovely rose had caused a grisly scene.
GREAT.
Now, not only was I lost but I was bleeding and crying. The darkness continued to fall. The sounds of night arose around me.
I arrived at the bottom of my community just as the woods turned black. I think about how lucky I was. I could have been a story you see on the 10 o’clock news, “8 yr Old Girl Missing, Where is She?"
I wasn’t missing, though. I had reached safety. In a frenzy I ran to my neighbor's doorstep. She bandaged up my wounds and offered comfort to my soul.
Fast forward to present day, that same girl who was lost on a mountain works for one of the biggest ministries in the world. I have responsibilities, an apartment, and a cat. Some would say that I've successfully navigated these first few years of adulthood.
Success doesn't mean it's been easy, though.
If we're being honest, I still feel like that little girl unsure of what's to come.
I'm in the wilderness again... but this time it's different.
Instead of freaking out, I know that God is the rock I stand on. I don't have to be afraid.
If you're in a wilderness season, that's ok... I'm in one too.
We'll get through it, you and me. He has us here for a reason. I have chosen to consecrate in my heart Paul's word's from Philippians,
"By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back"
Monday, March 17, 2014
An Ear When Needed
I forget that when living at the Dream Center there is no such thing as normal. When I step outside my front door, I'm on a battleground and there are souls at stake. The days are long but the nights usually calm as the hustle and bustle of visitors on campus halts. Last night was different.
After a few
errands, I arrived back to the Dream Center and decided to play basketball with
a friend. I play almost every day... that's normal. I headed inside the main
building to have our security guard Matthew unlock the court. When I entered
through the main doors, there was a family sitting in the chairs outside the
front office. Although it was after hours and the staff had been long gone I
didn't think much of it because that's not something that's unusual. I moved
along towards the security office. Matt and I arranged a time later in the
evening that he would unlock the basketball court for my friend and I to play.
I went back to our house across the parking lot to tend to a few chores.
When the time
arrived for Matt to open the court my friend Jaime joined me for a game of
horse. It didn't last very long though because it was freezing that night. We
both decided that it was way too cold to continue playing. That's not normal.
Basketball is my favorite sport. I play in the rain, sleet, snow, and hail. OK,
maybe that's an exaggeration but typically weather doesn't stop me from
playing. It's my favorite thing so for me to say it was too cold to continue
was a big deal. The temperature said it was 27 degree's but the wind gusts were
blistering and made it feel much more frigid.
For
no clear reason, I headed back into the main building. Over an hour
had passed and yet the same family was in the same spot seated in the chairs
outside the front office.
"Matt,
what are they doing here?” I finally asked.
He
shared what he knew.
The mother had
found herself homeless the day before. She really needed a place to charge her
phone and use the restroom. He had gotten the family some food and let
them sit in the hallway. It was a family of six. One Mom, five children. The
youngest being only a few months... and this was the night that she found
herself with no place to go.
As I sat in
the chair outside the security office, something caught the corner of my
eye. Two of the five children were walking past the door, smiling and
waving at me. It was adorable. I said hello and smiled while waving back in
their direction. They kept walking.
Moments later
the little girl had made her way back to me. This time she took one step into
the hallway I was in but stood at the door as if waiting for permission to come
closer.
"Watcha doin'?", I asked her.
"Nothin'",
she responded.
"Hey,
ya know what? Do you want to color with me?” I asked.
She smiled and said yes. I turned to ask Matt for the keys
to the kid's ministry classrooms.
"You
think it'd be ok if I went up there with them and let them play for a
while?"
"I
won't tell if you won't.”
We made our
way upstairs. As I unlocked the door and flipped the lights on, each child
stood amazed at the room before them. It was still a mess from the service that
morning, but they didn't care.
"Wow.
This is awesome", I heard their little voices say.
They scurried
straight towards the video game systems when I turned them on. They had no idea
how to play, though. I'm certain that they had never touched one in their
lives. I taught each of them step by step how to play their game. They loved
every second of it.
The mom came
in shortly after with the baby, uttering the same words the children had.
I showed her some of the other classrooms and shared with her the
heart behind what we do. She thought everything was just the bee's knees. As the kid's
continued playing, I moved to go sit down on the couch next to her. We began
with small talk about how awesome everything was until I asked her how she
ended up at the Dream Center that night.
"We
needed a place to brush our teeth and use the bathroom. The Dream Center has
always been such a big help to my family that I figured we'd come here..."
"You've
been here before?” I asked since I didn't recognize them.
"Oh
yeah, I've been comin' to the pantry and using the clothing
boutique for probably about a year now."
(How awesome
is it that because we continually met her physical need she knew the Dream
Center was a safe place to come in an emergency!)
She continued
to share her story. All I had to do was sit back and listen. I think more than
anything she just wanted someone to care. The stories were terrible. The
beautiful baby boy who lie in her arms, just a few months old, almost
wasn't born because the father beat her so bad. I could see the tears welling
in her eyes. Never did she let them out. She was strong for her family. She
talked about how scared she was and how this had never happened before. She
told me why other people, including relatives, wouldn't take her in and how she
wasn't eligible for food stamps to feed her children either.
I told her I
understood why she didn't leave the guy any sooner. She felt so much shame for
remaining with him as long as she did. I shared with her that as a kid I had
the same type of relationship with a family member. When you're in an
abusive situation you're don't think clearly and often you switch into survival
mode. You're view on love gets twisted - you hope that eventually things
will change but typically they don't so it becomes a cruel cycle. We
connected over the fact that even though we were completely different we shared
similar life stories. I love that the age gap between her and I could be
so great but it didn't matter in the grand scheme of life.
"Do you know where you're going tonight?” I eventually asked.
"No. I
called some shelters but most of them went to voicemail and the ones that
didn't said to come in tomorrow."
Having some experience with shelters, I thought I could
help. I called around the area to see if there was any information about
emergency services with the temperature being so low.
Nope.
They were
not very nice... and definitely not helpful. My heart broke at that moment for
this mother of five because I wasn't able to find her somewhere to go but
also because this was the system she was entering into. The people running it
didn't care whether she was in their shelter or on the streets. It broke my
heart to go back into the classroom and share the news.
We knew the evening was winding down and soon they would be heading back out into the cold. I gave each kid a stuffed animal friend to take with them on the journey. It wouldn't be easy and I figured they could use a friend to hold when it gets hard. They also wanted Joyce's book on salvation. I wouldn't dare tell them no!
We began
cleaning up. The children were so helpful! They tried cleaning the whole room
even though they didn't make half the mess! That made the coming goodbye much
more difficult.
With that, I
approached the mother. I don't think I even introduced myself. I simply offered
to let her kids go play for a while. She left it up to them and it was a
unanimous "yes!”
"Wow.
This is great... really, really great."
When Matt
joined us upstairs he offered to grab a few blankets for the family to take
with them. We snapped a quick picture because I wanted to remember them, their
faces, and this story.
It was time
for goodbye. The mother wanted to hug me, sleeping baby in arm. I absolutely
wanted to hug her. My heart sank.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
A Grand Hazy Picture
"Usually that's just how it happens, I blog what I'm thinking about."
That's what Sarah Foster said last night while standing in the kitchen washing dishes. It got me thinking. I asked myself...what are you thinking though...really?
Here's what's running through my mind currently.
It's my last week running the feeding program. If you know anything about my time spent here then you know I've been doing this since the day I arrived on campus...well almost, but since January fo sho. I started out on fire for what I was getting to do. However, slowly but surely, I began to get tired. It's a ton of work! Physically feeding 863 kids a day is no small feat.
Still, the Lord's calling me higher. Higher than cutting pizza and making bags. Higher than just spending an hour a day out on the street getting to know these kids. You know, the kid's who have a panic look on their face when you run out of bags because they truly don't know where that night's dinner is coming from. That's a different story, though.
What's higher look like? I'm not sure. I do know that it means switching over into spiritually feeding the kids here in the inner-city. Yepp. Next week I start my work in 'Children's Ministry'
And I'll be honest, physically feeding these kids is going to look like a cake walk compared to the barriers the Lords going to have to tear down in the process of my next season. Why do I say that? My whole life satan has convinced me that even though I have something to speak up about no one will listen...or they'll make fun of me... because of the impediments I've had in my speech since childhood. You talk to fast, you mumble, you have a lisp, you blank on stage(not a speech impediment but it happens.) There's some serious spiritual warfare going on with satan trying to keep my mouth shut and God, the Ultimate Victor, bringing forth a well of living water out of my inner most being.
So what will I do? Go. Proclaim the good news of the Gospel to...currently...the children of St. Louis...and eventually....the nations.
On another note, let's talk about the nations...and life after the Dream Center. I can confirm that what many of ya'll have spoken over my life with missions and foreign lands is something the Lord is also bringing about in me. He hasn't definitively laid out His plan of where or how or when but peace has come over my spirit about the whole ordeal. Not just peace but joy as well. I can't wait to get to doing what He's put in me to do. Which by the way... I know what it is He wants me to do. Again not specifically like He's given me all the answers but as a grand picture... a grand hazy picture.
Every time I think forward to the future and what I feel Him prompting me to do it brings tears of gladness and thankfulness. Surprising because I'm not even all that emotional of a person! Thank you Lord for choosing me and entrusting me with what you've called me to do. The best part is how even with all I've envisioned about the future, He's going to do immeasurably more because it's His power I'm walking in.
Anyways, I didn't mean for this post to be so serious. It is indeed what I'm thinking though after I weed through all the random song lyrics and other odd things that go through my head.
So that's where this leads me. Following Gods calling to the Dream Center is by far the best thing I've ever done. He's doing so much in me here that I can't even begin to put it into words.
The most beautiful thing about this whole grand hazy picture is that this is just the beginning.
(p.s. lemme give a blog shout out to Foster, ya'll should check her's out. sarahannfoster.wordpress.com)
That's what Sarah Foster said last night while standing in the kitchen washing dishes. It got me thinking. I asked myself...what are you thinking though...really?
Here's what's running through my mind currently.
It's my last week running the feeding program. If you know anything about my time spent here then you know I've been doing this since the day I arrived on campus...well almost, but since January fo sho. I started out on fire for what I was getting to do. However, slowly but surely, I began to get tired. It's a ton of work! Physically feeding 863 kids a day is no small feat.
Still, the Lord's calling me higher. Higher than cutting pizza and making bags. Higher than just spending an hour a day out on the street getting to know these kids. You know, the kid's who have a panic look on their face when you run out of bags because they truly don't know where that night's dinner is coming from. That's a different story, though.
What's higher look like? I'm not sure. I do know that it means switching over into spiritually feeding the kids here in the inner-city. Yepp. Next week I start my work in 'Children's Ministry'
And I'll be honest, physically feeding these kids is going to look like a cake walk compared to the barriers the Lords going to have to tear down in the process of my next season. Why do I say that? My whole life satan has convinced me that even though I have something to speak up about no one will listen...or they'll make fun of me... because of the impediments I've had in my speech since childhood. You talk to fast, you mumble, you have a lisp, you blank on stage(not a speech impediment but it happens.) There's some serious spiritual warfare going on with satan trying to keep my mouth shut and God, the Ultimate Victor, bringing forth a well of living water out of my inner most being.
So what will I do? Go. Proclaim the good news of the Gospel to...currently...the children of St. Louis...and eventually....the nations.
On another note, let's talk about the nations...and life after the Dream Center. I can confirm that what many of ya'll have spoken over my life with missions and foreign lands is something the Lord is also bringing about in me. He hasn't definitively laid out His plan of where or how or when but peace has come over my spirit about the whole ordeal. Not just peace but joy as well. I can't wait to get to doing what He's put in me to do. Which by the way... I know what it is He wants me to do. Again not specifically like He's given me all the answers but as a grand picture... a grand hazy picture.
Every time I think forward to the future and what I feel Him prompting me to do it brings tears of gladness and thankfulness. Surprising because I'm not even all that emotional of a person! Thank you Lord for choosing me and entrusting me with what you've called me to do. The best part is how even with all I've envisioned about the future, He's going to do immeasurably more because it's His power I'm walking in.
Anyways, I didn't mean for this post to be so serious. It is indeed what I'm thinking though after I weed through all the random song lyrics and other odd things that go through my head.
So that's where this leads me. Following Gods calling to the Dream Center is by far the best thing I've ever done. He's doing so much in me here that I can't even begin to put it into words.
The most beautiful thing about this whole grand hazy picture is that this is just the beginning.
(p.s. lemme give a blog shout out to Foster, ya'll should check her's out. sarahannfoster.wordpress.com)
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
No Crafty Titles Here
Hiya everybody!
It's been awhile, I know. To tell the truth I've had no desire to write anything lately. That's why it's been awhile.It's not that I have nothing to say, I do. I've kept a list of things and stories I wanted to tell ya'll when I felt like getting around to putting my thoughts into complete coherent sentences. I guess now is that time
Let's get started, shall we?
On street last Friday there were a few people who weren't really receptive to the Word at all but the seed was planted. I found myself thinking I had better things I could be doing after the fifth person said no to prayer or what not...like sleep. I love sleep. Sleep doesn't get people saved though. Anyways here's what God reminded me of....
He's a pursuer of souls.
At least He pursued me. I almost forgot...or really it's just not a daily thought... that there was about a year in between me first getting the seed of the Word planted in my heart and it harvesting into a follower of Christ. Let me simplify that statement, as a freshman I attended my church for the first time but it wasn't until the summer between my sophomore and junior year that I surrendered my life to the Lord. In that in between time God was the last thing on my mind....but He was still there....somewhere in the back tugging at my heart strings. Drawing me into Him, closer and closer. The beautiful thing is to this day and for all the rest of my days... He's still doing it. He's still drawing me closer and closer. How wonderful that is! The moral to this is that I got to thinking about how its not a multitude of my words that draw people into Him....it's a few of His. I don't have to save people...that's not my job. All I gotta do is let the world know He loves you. He really super-de-duper does. I promise.
On a lighter note, a girl asked me to sing at her church. I awkwardly changed the subject. Ain't nobody sticking me on stage...I get scared. She said it'd be an honor to have me sing, though. What a compliment!
I lied about the no one sticking me on stage thing... I have a part in Kidzjam this weekend. I'm doing the memory verse for the first time...on stage....in front of people. I'm believing God for no word vomit...amen.
I wanted to tell ya'll a story from Adopt A Block.... it's a good one. Promise. So here I am standing on the porch at Ms. Stephanies' , she's a wonderful lady the DC knows real well, when I get a surprise visit. My main man, a little boy named Jamond, rolled up in the passengers seat of his grandma's car. It was the absolute cutest thing because his grandmama, who I work with every day in the feeding program, told me that he demanded she drive around until they found me. They found me....it made my day.
Anywho, today I had a thought that changed my perspective on life a little. Something I'm growing in while I'm here in St. Louis is confidence in the gifting's He has given me. While listening to something that was talking about how He's the most creative thing to ever exist I realized what an honor I have bestowed upon me. He has specifically placed within me the ability to be a glimpse into His measure of creativeness. He's called me out of my comfort zone, into deep water, to pull forth this creativeness. Especially when I don't want to do it at all.
You know what kills creativity? Busyness.
Boy am I busy. All the time there's something to do. Never a dull moment here at the DC, that's for sure. Above all else though I am being awakened to the fact that I am a vessel for His creativeness to flow through.
So whats my next step in the awakening? Refining the raw talent that He's placed within me. After all.... I've never even tried to do anything with it...ever. No classes, no nothing. Just a hobby.
hmm my final thought for tonight... who knows, maybe a hobby could become a calling.
(P.s. sorry for the grammar... I happen to be way to tired to go back and fix every little thing)
It's been awhile, I know. To tell the truth I've had no desire to write anything lately. That's why it's been awhile.It's not that I have nothing to say, I do. I've kept a list of things and stories I wanted to tell ya'll when I felt like getting around to putting my thoughts into complete coherent sentences. I guess now is that time
Let's get started, shall we?
On street last Friday there were a few people who weren't really receptive to the Word at all but the seed was planted. I found myself thinking I had better things I could be doing after the fifth person said no to prayer or what not...like sleep. I love sleep. Sleep doesn't get people saved though. Anyways here's what God reminded me of....
He's a pursuer of souls.
At least He pursued me. I almost forgot...or really it's just not a daily thought... that there was about a year in between me first getting the seed of the Word planted in my heart and it harvesting into a follower of Christ. Let me simplify that statement, as a freshman I attended my church for the first time but it wasn't until the summer between my sophomore and junior year that I surrendered my life to the Lord. In that in between time God was the last thing on my mind....but He was still there....somewhere in the back tugging at my heart strings. Drawing me into Him, closer and closer. The beautiful thing is to this day and for all the rest of my days... He's still doing it. He's still drawing me closer and closer. How wonderful that is! The moral to this is that I got to thinking about how its not a multitude of my words that draw people into Him....it's a few of His. I don't have to save people...that's not my job. All I gotta do is let the world know He loves you. He really super-de-duper does. I promise.
On a lighter note, a girl asked me to sing at her church. I awkwardly changed the subject. Ain't nobody sticking me on stage...I get scared. She said it'd be an honor to have me sing, though. What a compliment!
I lied about the no one sticking me on stage thing... I have a part in Kidzjam this weekend. I'm doing the memory verse for the first time...on stage....in front of people. I'm believing God for no word vomit...amen.
I wanted to tell ya'll a story from Adopt A Block.... it's a good one. Promise. So here I am standing on the porch at Ms. Stephanies' , she's a wonderful lady the DC knows real well, when I get a surprise visit. My main man, a little boy named Jamond, rolled up in the passengers seat of his grandma's car. It was the absolute cutest thing because his grandmama, who I work with every day in the feeding program, told me that he demanded she drive around until they found me. They found me....it made my day.
Anywho, today I had a thought that changed my perspective on life a little. Something I'm growing in while I'm here in St. Louis is confidence in the gifting's He has given me. While listening to something that was talking about how He's the most creative thing to ever exist I realized what an honor I have bestowed upon me. He has specifically placed within me the ability to be a glimpse into His measure of creativeness. He's called me out of my comfort zone, into deep water, to pull forth this creativeness. Especially when I don't want to do it at all.
You know what kills creativity? Busyness.
Boy am I busy. All the time there's something to do. Never a dull moment here at the DC, that's for sure. Above all else though I am being awakened to the fact that I am a vessel for His creativeness to flow through.
So whats my next step in the awakening? Refining the raw talent that He's placed within me. After all.... I've never even tried to do anything with it...ever. No classes, no nothing. Just a hobby.
hmm my final thought for tonight... who knows, maybe a hobby could become a calling.
(P.s. sorry for the grammar... I happen to be way to tired to go back and fix every little thing)
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Crisis Mode Airplane and the Girl Afraid of Flying
While in the air on my way to Atlanta last Monday I was actually blogging to you guys. It kinda turned into me live blogging my thoughts during a flight that went into crisis mode. Little did I know that it was the beginning of a very long couple of days. I thought I'd share it with ya'll just because I took the time to write it in the first place. Enjoy :)
'Why hello there! Currently you are being written to from 30,000 feet in the air.
Exciting right?
Mmm for me it's actually scary. I know the Wright brothers are North Carolina bred and all (its where all the cool people hail from) but the whole concept of something that weighs this much not crashing at some point is flabbergasting! Therefor, my blog readers, I must confess to you that I am afraid of flying. Some neato things about this particular flight though are that the people on it are super friendly and there's a plethora of people watching to be done.
I like to observe people. I do it most everywhere I go. In the airport I was reminded whilst sitting among a crowd of people that not only does God know how many hairs are on my head (which is impressive because it changes constantly) but He knows the deepest most inner being of all the people that surrounded me. He is not limited to situations or places or people. He's vast and expansive and His love covers all.
On a lighter note, spring break has officially begun! Woooo, a break... a breath of fresh (country :) ) air! I'm rather excited to be heading to West Virginia to see my moms side of the family and to meet my soon to be step father for the first time. More so, I'm excited for a switch of titles. For a week I am no longer called the inner-city missionary but instead beloved daughter, aunt, and temporary care taker...who also happens to be pretty cool because she's from North Carolina which...of course... is where all the cool people are from.
Can you tell I miss my state...just a little?
I'm changing topics... that one might make me sad. The flight has taken a rather large route change according to the pilot. An extra 45 minutes has been added to our flight time...which will make that hour and a half layover much shorter. Oh wait, turbulence. Crap. The quick descend has my heart racing. Every muscle in my body tense as we pass through this weather front. Delayed once again. Remember that fear... this doesn't help. Plus I get motion sickness easy. Boo. Hopefully this will end soon.'
It didn't end soon. I flew through thunderstorms and turbulence so bad I was grabbing the back of the seat in front of me. Not to mention I spent the night In the ATL airport. That'll have to be a different blog. Some of the craziest things happened that night. But for now Im about to fly back to St. Louis.
...Lets pray this trip goes smoother even though its pouring down snow!
'Why hello there! Currently you are being written to from 30,000 feet in the air.
Exciting right?
Mmm for me it's actually scary. I know the Wright brothers are North Carolina bred and all (its where all the cool people hail from) but the whole concept of something that weighs this much not crashing at some point is flabbergasting! Therefor, my blog readers, I must confess to you that I am afraid of flying. Some neato things about this particular flight though are that the people on it are super friendly and there's a plethora of people watching to be done.
I like to observe people. I do it most everywhere I go. In the airport I was reminded whilst sitting among a crowd of people that not only does God know how many hairs are on my head (which is impressive because it changes constantly) but He knows the deepest most inner being of all the people that surrounded me. He is not limited to situations or places or people. He's vast and expansive and His love covers all.
On a lighter note, spring break has officially begun! Woooo, a break... a breath of fresh (country :) ) air! I'm rather excited to be heading to West Virginia to see my moms side of the family and to meet my soon to be step father for the first time. More so, I'm excited for a switch of titles. For a week I am no longer called the inner-city missionary but instead beloved daughter, aunt, and temporary care taker...who also happens to be pretty cool because she's from North Carolina which...of course... is where all the cool people are from.
Can you tell I miss my state...just a little?
I'm changing topics... that one might make me sad. The flight has taken a rather large route change according to the pilot. An extra 45 minutes has been added to our flight time...which will make that hour and a half layover much shorter. Oh wait, turbulence. Crap. The quick descend has my heart racing. Every muscle in my body tense as we pass through this weather front. Delayed once again. Remember that fear... this doesn't help. Plus I get motion sickness easy. Boo. Hopefully this will end soon.'
It didn't end soon. I flew through thunderstorms and turbulence so bad I was grabbing the back of the seat in front of me. Not to mention I spent the night In the ATL airport. That'll have to be a different blog. Some of the craziest things happened that night. But for now Im about to fly back to St. Louis.
...Lets pray this trip goes smoother even though its pouring down snow!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Late Night Rambles
I broke my computer a few weeks ago. I know... shocking. Actually, it's probably not. You're probably sitting there thinking, 'Rachel, you loose or break every precious thing to you...let's be honest.' Or maybe you're not thinking that. Sadly, it's the truth.
There is a point to my rambling. You must know that I haven't forgotten the promise I made before heading out to the big city. The one where I vowed to blog at least once a month. I inscribed it upon my heart...set it in stone. No matter what, I won't let ya'll down! Currently, I'm writing this thing (for the 2nd time since it deleted my 1st time) from my I-pod. I'm askin' for you to have patience with me since it's practically impossible to have proper grammar on these things. BUT my Bible says nothing's impossible with God.
Here's to keeping my word. Sit back, kick your feet up, and happy reading.
Actually, one more thing before I go any farther. I wanna give a shout out to someone from way back in my Leadership College days who always is speaking encouragin' things that make me want to blog more... because well, I actually have an audience! Surprising! MadDawg....this ones for you.
Today I went to Joyce Meyer Ministries to receive training for the prayer lines. There's a chance every other Monday that if you call the ministry to receive prayer...I'll be the one liftin' you up before the Father. It's a privilege... It really is. I'm rather excited to begin! JMM is a wonderful place. As you pull down Grace Parkway you'll see flags flyin' on both sides of the drive that represent all the different countries the ministry has an impact in. Today was a little breezy so they flew extra well. My favorite thing about the place has to be the game room though. Some of the girls learned my secret talent today. Be on the lookout to see me in the Olympics soon. I have mad air hockey skills. Ok I'm not that good... I just went 4 for 4 in my wins today. Besides air hockey's not even an Olympic sport. Somehow ping pong...oops I mean table tennis is though. In that case air hockey should be an Olympic sport. That's my argument and I'm sticking to it.
It's late and I'm tired. I'm sure my babbling is entertaining. Hmmph... I think I want to share with you guys a few entries from my journal that I have written over the last couple weeks whilst we've been disconnected. Then ima have to call it a night. I need my beauty sleep. Surely, you must understand.
February 26, 2013:
Little boy, 13, called Bobo. Hatred smoldering in his eyes. One blackened because an older boy just punched him. There's no consoling. He talks of shooting. He says to not let go or else he doesn't know what he'll do... But he knows he'll go after the guy who hit him and pushed his little sister. Protective. F-bombs dropped- not surprising. Inner-city kids; God's creation. His Image. Beautiful.
March 4th, 2013:
In my homeland, the great state of North Carolina, I don't believe it's all to common to see all that much when you go to take the trash out. Maybe, if you're lucky, a doe-eyed dear will cross paths with you or you'll catch a glimpse of a raccoon and it's babies waiting for you to go back inside so they can explore your trash to find dinner. That's country life. City life is different...MUCH different. Tonight, I took the trash out. But instead of my animal friends, I saw three police cars with red and blue lights flashing. They were sitting outside of the campus gates with three guys handcuffed on the ground. Oh yea..that's right. I'm in the hood. I'm nosey, I'll admit, so I watched until they stuck the guys inside separate police vehicles. Ooo someone's in trouble. There's never a dull moment here at the DC. Even taking of the trash out can be exciting!
Ok that's two short entires. I'm rather exhausted at this point and I need to be up at 5:30 to hit the gym. It takes twice as long to post from your I-pod... Just in case you were curious. In closing, (just because all my English teachers told me to never end with that) I've enjoyed our time together. I hope we can do this again real soon. Until then, sleep tight world.
There is a point to my rambling. You must know that I haven't forgotten the promise I made before heading out to the big city. The one where I vowed to blog at least once a month. I inscribed it upon my heart...set it in stone. No matter what, I won't let ya'll down! Currently, I'm writing this thing (for the 2nd time since it deleted my 1st time) from my I-pod. I'm askin' for you to have patience with me since it's practically impossible to have proper grammar on these things. BUT my Bible says nothing's impossible with God.
Here's to keeping my word. Sit back, kick your feet up, and happy reading.
Actually, one more thing before I go any farther. I wanna give a shout out to someone from way back in my Leadership College days who always is speaking encouragin' things that make me want to blog more... because well, I actually have an audience! Surprising! MadDawg....this ones for you.
Today I went to Joyce Meyer Ministries to receive training for the prayer lines. There's a chance every other Monday that if you call the ministry to receive prayer...I'll be the one liftin' you up before the Father. It's a privilege... It really is. I'm rather excited to begin! JMM is a wonderful place. As you pull down Grace Parkway you'll see flags flyin' on both sides of the drive that represent all the different countries the ministry has an impact in. Today was a little breezy so they flew extra well. My favorite thing about the place has to be the game room though. Some of the girls learned my secret talent today. Be on the lookout to see me in the Olympics soon. I have mad air hockey skills. Ok I'm not that good... I just went 4 for 4 in my wins today. Besides air hockey's not even an Olympic sport. Somehow ping pong...oops I mean table tennis is though. In that case air hockey should be an Olympic sport. That's my argument and I'm sticking to it.
It's late and I'm tired. I'm sure my babbling is entertaining. Hmmph... I think I want to share with you guys a few entries from my journal that I have written over the last couple weeks whilst we've been disconnected. Then ima have to call it a night. I need my beauty sleep. Surely, you must understand.
February 26, 2013:
Little boy, 13, called Bobo. Hatred smoldering in his eyes. One blackened because an older boy just punched him. There's no consoling. He talks of shooting. He says to not let go or else he doesn't know what he'll do... But he knows he'll go after the guy who hit him and pushed his little sister. Protective. F-bombs dropped- not surprising. Inner-city kids; God's creation. His Image. Beautiful.
March 4th, 2013:
In my homeland, the great state of North Carolina, I don't believe it's all to common to see all that much when you go to take the trash out. Maybe, if you're lucky, a doe-eyed dear will cross paths with you or you'll catch a glimpse of a raccoon and it's babies waiting for you to go back inside so they can explore your trash to find dinner. That's country life. City life is different...MUCH different. Tonight, I took the trash out. But instead of my animal friends, I saw three police cars with red and blue lights flashing. They were sitting outside of the campus gates with three guys handcuffed on the ground. Oh yea..that's right. I'm in the hood. I'm nosey, I'll admit, so I watched until they stuck the guys inside separate police vehicles. Ooo someone's in trouble. There's never a dull moment here at the DC. Even taking of the trash out can be exciting!
Ok that's two short entires. I'm rather exhausted at this point and I need to be up at 5:30 to hit the gym. It takes twice as long to post from your I-pod... Just in case you were curious. In closing, (just because all my English teachers told me to never end with that) I've enjoyed our time together. I hope we can do this again real soon. Until then, sleep tight world.
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