Feeding Tummies & Feeding Hearts

Thanksgiving 2010 was by far one of the best Thanksgiving's I've had. The time with close family members was delightful, the meal was delicious, and the memories made were sweet.

I was blessed Thanksgiving afternoon to take my brothers and join other church members at Southside Church of Christ to feed Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless. Tons of church members both young and old showed up to serve wherever needed. It's my prayer that we not only fed tummies, but that we fed the hearts of those we came in contact with. I remember first going out to feed the homeless nearly two years ago...I had no idea what to say to the people we were serving. It was such an eyeopening experience that thankfully brought me out of my comfort zone and naive belief that prostitutes, gangs, druggies and drunks only existed in the movies or big cities. Now when I serve, my favorite place to be is at the table with the homeless, making conversation with them while they eat. These people don't just want a free meal - they can get that anywhere - they want to know that other human beings care enough to sit down and interact with them.

While the homeless were eating their meal and watching the Cowboys game, I was asked, "what difference are you making here?" My answer is that honestly, I don't know. But I do know that Jesus said that when I serve the least of these, I am serving Him. And I get no greater joy than looking into the eyes of the homeless people I come in contact with and knowing that by loving on them, I am serving my Jesus. It's not for me to know what difference I'm making. I only need to be obedient to my God and leave the consequences in His capable hands.

Watch Out World...I Bought Hobbies!

I'm not gonna lie...this current season in my life is not my favorite. It's actually quite painful and I'm struggling with being content. The joy of the Lord continues to be my strength and I'm trying to focus on all the many blessings I am so thankful for instead of the blessings that haven't been given to me just yet. That being said... I realized today that I need to find something to keep me busy so that I can STOP worrying and over-thinking. My over-thinking has gotten so bad that I've had a headache as a companion for the better part of this week. I'm so silly for worrying...surely if God can make the sun rise and set without fail everyday since the creation of the earth, He can manage to work out His plans in my life. Things I'm majoring struggling with right now: patience, waiting, trust, surrender.

So, in an effort to get my mind off my troubles...I bought hobbies! And where better to buy hobbies than at Hobby Lobby, duh! After treating myself to my favorite frozen yogurt, I drove over to Hobby Lobby not having a clue what I was going to get myself into...basket weaving, cake building, flower arranging...the possibilities were endless. Here's what I ended up with:

 

A Mosaic Kit, Wooden Jewelry to decorate, and Crocheting! I'm so excited. It was interesting that I was drawn to all the types of crafts my mom had me do when I was little. I used to love crafts and I haven't used my creative skills in many years. I'm interested to explore what made me give up something I enjoy so much as well as hopefully uncover hidden talents I didn't know I had! I can't help but wonder if God is going to reveal some skill that I'll be able to use on the mission field some day....

I also started learning to play the guitar today! My brother is letting me borrow my dad's guitar to learn on. I LOVE that guitar and have so many memories of singing with my dad while he played on it. So far I have mastered the G and C chords. Tomorrow's goal is D and E! :) And I am beginning Beth Moore's 90 Days with Jesus: The One and Only. I'm crazy excited to learn more about my Savior and love Him more. And of course, I will always love bubble baths, reading, singing and spending time with my precious family & friends. Hopefully I can keep myself occupied during this season in life, challenge & learn more about myself, and grow closer to God in the process. If you have more hobby ideas, pass them along!

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." ~1 Corinthians 10:31

The Next Step

I figure a new blog design calls for a new post as well! And it's perfect timing as I actually have something to share! Since I've been back from Africa, my thoughts and prayers have revolved around the question, "Okay God, what's next??" As a girl that likes to have a game plan, it's been a tad stressful not knowing what the next step in my journey will be. I'm enjoying my work with the homeless at Catholic Charities, and my involvement with Church activities...but my heart still longs to be on the mission field (preferably with a husband in tow!) I had spent the months prior to my trip to Africa completely content in who God is and who I am in Him without a guy in my life. I wasn't looking to date and nicely turned down anyone that showed interest. I had several friends that traveled to do foreign missions, and then promptly after returning home, they met their husbands and got married. That sounded like a good plan, so post Africa, that's what I was looking for the "next step" in my journey to be. Insert Proverbs 16:9: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."

I was praying and talking through a lot of things with God this morning and praying again that He would be the One to fill my needs, desires, etc instead of a guy. I mentioned to Him that I'm dreading winter, the cold and the holidays because I know that's my lonely season. And then it occurred to me...if God and I can go half way around the world to a third world country, just us...then surely we can get through the holidays together, just us! He is more than Enough and I want to experience that this winter in what is normally my lonely season. I want to be able to say that I conquered a season, that I usually dread, with my King. I'm not necessarily excited about my least favorite season, but I feel that being able to get through it with just God and a different perspective on my circumstances, knowing that He is Enough and WILL fill me and satisfy me, is the next step in my journey with my Father, Best Friend, and Husband. I feel like God is teaching me to see Him as Creator and King now. It's exciting seeing His majesty and glory and I hope to experience it more deeply this season. I normally complain this time of the year because my emotions seem to reflect whatever the weather is doing...if it's gloomy outside, I'm gloomy, if it's sunny, I'm sunny...but unlike the weather, my King does not change. So I can have His Joy all year long, no matter rainy or sunny, cold or warm. He doesn't change. I'm excited that God has revealed the next step in my walk with Him AND that I already know I'm a victor and conqueror through His power at work in me. To God be the glory, great things He has done!

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." ~2 Corinthians 12:9