Joy... finding the beauty in the ashes

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

1 Peter 1:6-7

I love our youth group. Jacob and I think of them as our children... for real... we have 60+ kids! CRAZY, I know! I absolutely adore the girls who are involved in Bible Study.  They are so precious to me. I pray continuously for them and I think it's a glimpse of the love my mom feels for me. It's insane!

Our Bible study group is on the journey of life together.  Sometimes that is exciting and carefree and full of giggles.  I LOVE THAT! Sometimes it is heart-breaking. Sometimes we just have to cry together. Sometimes it's not fun and it seems unfair. Sometimes, listening to their hearts and their stories and seeing their tears, makes me cry, scream, pray harder than ever, and/or stand in awe.

I love life with them, but more important I love life with you, Jesus. You have promised in Your Word, and I know it's true, that WONDERFUL JOY awaits us and that these trails, although they suck now, will refine these girls into women whose faith and love for you is pure, is lovely, and is good.  I pray that at the end of the things these girls are going through, some I cannot fathom, that they will still know YOU ARE GOOD. YOU ARE WORTH IT! You turn ashes in beauty. You turn mourning into dancing. You are not a God of confusion, but a God of peace and clarity.  You will replace weeping with worshiping.  You are good. You have plans for them. You have planned a future of hope for each of them. You will be with them.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 
Joshua 1:9

Give them JOY, give them STRENGTH (but let them break down), give them HOPE, give them the ability to FORGIVE, give them YOU! We are trusting in you.

The First Connection

4 Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.

Psalm 37:4-5

The First Connection was truly a picture of the Lord giving his daughter the desires of her heart.  It was service, love, joy, and Christ is reality!

We fed 51 people and approximately 30 church members can out to help, serve, and love on people!! My heart was jumping out of my chest with excitement!!! Some of the youth were there... being Christ to people they had never met.  My eyes are getting a bit watery just thinking about it! To see them grow and hunger for the Lord and to want to be where Jesus is (b/c Jesus would be with the POOR!) and to want to serve... is INCREDIBLE!

On Sunday at church, we had at least 6 people that attended The Connection come for Sunday School and big church!! It blessed my heart and I know it blessed the others who were involved as well!!! Our God is good!! Our God's not dead, He's SURELY ALIVE and He shows His power to me everyday!!

These are some of the WONDERFUL members of our church who came to serve, to love, to fellowship! I am so thankful for them! Praise Jesus!

The Connection... My heart...

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
tocomfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,

the oil of joy
instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3

Tonight is The Connection Cook Out Kick Off! My heart is so anxious and excited and hopeful and crazy! The Connection is a vision that God gave me as I begin to hurt for and pray over our community.  I have never fell in love with a place like I have fallen for this community and town, but I DESPERATELY want the people of our town to fall in love with Jesus.  I presented the vision to my hubby, of course, my pastor, and the church congregation (that's a story in itself), and it was accepted and embraced by passion and wonderful people from out church.

Here's the vision for the Connection (pretty fancy, huh?)
The Connection will be a gathering, encouraging people from all churches, denominations, economic statuses, races, and backgrounds to take part in a free meal.  Relationships will form, scripture will be shared, and needs will be met (monetary, job coaching needs, etc.). Ultimately, the community will see and feel the love of Christ.  Through this ministry, all will feel accepted and welcomed by the body of Christ, The Church. This ministry is not for hand-outs or charity.  The motivation and reason for The Connection is to make disciples, unify the body of Christ, and to show the love of Jesus to the community.

My heart is so excited. 
Lord, we come with expectations for your love to be on display tonight. We come claiming our inadequacy and our utter dependence on you.  I pray you show up and show us what your want this ministry to become. I pray You receive ALL THE GLORY.  I am in awe and so thankful for the people have passionately prayed for tonight, who walked miles and miles handing out flyers door-to-door, and for the AMAZING God we serve.  Lord, tonight is yours. This ministry is Yours. This town is Yours.

I am claiming:
You are God of this city,
You are King of these people...
Greater things have yet to come and
Greater things are still to be done in this, Your, city

I love you Jesus.  Spirit, move tonight. I am thankful, Father.

Hello 2011... 3 months late!

WOW! It's been a while. The past 3 months have been a whirlwind of craziness!
My husband has started a blog with a friend of his and I just got to thinking how I missed writing about life... so I shall start again. 

So, in the past 3 months lots has happened:
*Jacob become full time youth pastor at our church
*I interpreted my dream job - Passion Conference in Atlanta, GA
*One of our dear friends was in an awful car accident and despite all the broken bones, doctors' words, and close calls - Our God is Healer and Barrett Foster is Alive and Well!
*We became "Foster" parents for a month!! - I AM NOT READY FOR CHILDREN! ha!
*We have both worked many 12 hour day
*YOUTH!
*CHURCH!
*One of my best friends is pregnant! Hooray! Our God is faithful!
*Started a ministry for homeless and the poor in our community!
*Been to workshops and conferences for church and work

THERE IS JUST SO MUCH... my brain can't even put it into words everything that has happened! But God is GREAT! He is AWESOME! I have seen miracles in the past 3 months. I have seen joy and hurt and salvation and suffering and tears and laughter and praise.

Life is good. Life is busy. Life is about HIM!

I can't wait to write more now that I can sit and breath sometimes.  I have so much that God has been teaching me and beautiful stories to share.

Joyful are people of integrity
who follow the instructions of Lord
Joyful are people who obey his commands
who seek Him with all their hearts.
Psalm 119: 1-2