So for the past 2 months I have been commuting from Mesquite to Ft. Worth 4 times a week for my new job. Although rising gas prices and the 2 hours wasted spent in the car driving back and forth have been annoying, the thing I've been most frustrated about is the lack of community I felt because I lived so far away. The inability to spontaneously join a group for dinner or to have people come over just to hang out has been exasperating.
Praise Jesus for the past two days though. In the past two days, I've been able to experience true community; true church. Not "church" in the sense of sing, pray, take an offering, sermon, invitation (did I nail that one on the head or what?!). No, church in the sense of believers, fellowshipping together, sharing their lives with one another, talking about real stuff, laughing together, praying together. How I long for church to look more life that.
I'm counting the hours till moving day arrives. I'm sad to leave this home that I have here at casa de new hope rd, so many monumental life changing things have happened while I have lived here. I made mistakes, I learned, I grew, I did life here. At the same time, I'm so excited about this new season of life. I'm excited about the relationships that are being cultivated at Glenview, I'm excited to be a teacher - to walk with and teach students, I'm excited to discover a new area.
I anxiously await planting my life fully in this new season that has come like crisp rain on a hot summer day. Come quickly July 1....come quickly :)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
community
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
American Idol...uuuggghhh.
I am so over this season.
Everything about tonight from what Ryan was saying to Clive Davis and Andrew Lloyd Webber, to the judges indicated that they clearly want David Archuletta to win.
I am becoming more and more convinced that the votes sent in do not count and that the judges make the decision.
In my opinion, David Cook will put out a much better record and is much more marketable, therefore will be around alot longer than Arch. David A might as well hook up with Clay Aiken and jump on that tour because that is the arena he sings to.
I just want this season to be over. I'll watch tomorrow night, but I'm glad it's the finale.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Zacheus Project
Last year I had the privilege of leading a team of students to Ghana, Africa to work with a partner of Lake Pointe Church. There are hundreds of stories from the week that I could share, but as the week went on our team got to know a man named Zacheus, and the Lord is continuing that work today.
Zacheus is a modest man who has a passionate desire to love and serve Christ more with each passing day. However, his desire to serve Christ does not come without cost. His wife's family is Muslim, but he and his wife are Christ-followers - his wife's family hates him and has shunned their daughter. In the community that he is living in there are many people that go without food everyday, most look to him to help their community survive. He carries a very heavy burden - but when you look at him you would never know this because he exudes the joy of the Lord like no person I have ever seen.
Throughout the course of the week we found out that he desired to go to driving school, if he was able to learn to drive he would be able to make money not only for his family but also for his community. Before knowing this our team had decided that they wanted to bless Zacheus, but when we found out about his desire to go to driving school we knew that was what God wanted us to do. It wasn’t until after we had taken up the financial gift for Zacheus that I found out how much driving school cost - wouldn’t you know that the team gave just over what was needed for school. God is so good and so faithful, He always knows the needs and the provision far before we ever begin to think about it.
Here is where you come in, last week I received an email from Zacheus and Francis, the ministry coordinator that I have worked with in Ghana. Zacheus has finished driving school and a spot in the Ghana Security Services has opened for him to join. This is a great opportunity because it will allow him to secure a stable job and continue to provide for his family and community. Unfortunately there is an admission fee to the Security Services Academy and Zacheus simply cannot afford it. The goal is to raise $1000 for Zacheus to enter into the Security Services Academy and complete the training needed. In addition, I encourage you to write Zacheus' name somewhere that you will see if everyday and be reminded to pray for him and the day to day life-ministry that he is doing.
If you would like to donate, simply click on the Donate icon which will take you to Paypal's website where you can donate by check, debit or credit card.
On behalf of Zacheus, I thank you in advance for the ministry that you are contributing to, many upon many lives will be changed because of your donation.
Zacheus on our excursion day.
Zacheus with Courtney, Mallory and Hannah at ministry site.Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Idol Live Blogging
Ok, what is up with Randy and Simon tonight, they must have taken a bad mood pill....
Round 1
David Cook - I wasn't watching while he was singing, but I was listening and I didn't love it. He didn't do anything to make it unique or different like he usually does and I had never heard the song before. It was just 'aight for me.
Syesha - I love me some Tina Turner, however I think it was a bit overdone with the complete impersonation. I sort of felt like I was at a Las Vegas show or something. She definitely rocked the song and locked sensational.
Jason - I don't think it was as bad as the judges made it out to be. I think he looked more comfortable on stage tonight than he has ever looked before. You could tell he was really having fun. I'm hoping he pulls out all the stops on his second song.
David A - ugh. I'm so over it. Did he really just say that he sings "Stand By Me" by himself in his room to his dog?? Ok, that's just weird, no wonder no one wants to room with him. He only knows how to sing one type of song, if a song doesn't fit into that genre he has the band re-do the arrangement to work with old-lady music land.
Round 1 goes to Syesha!
Round 2 - Here we go....
David Cook - I think Simon said it well, Welcome Back. That was definitely better than the first performance. I really have grown to look forward to hearing him sing each week. I absolutely did not like him in the beginning, but I think he is very creative and wants to be a true musician and artist rather than just a singer. I look forward to seeing what kind of record he puts out.
Syesha - This is not the season finale, why did she just erupt into the ugly cry? Paula just stood up and said she wanted to hug her and started hugging herself.....I feel like I'm on a weirdo talk show......I agree with Randy, I wasn't crazy about it and I didn't like her dress, tuck those boobies back in.
Jason - oh bless your sweet heart. If I could reach through the tv and hug you I would, instead I stood up and hugged myself (just call me Paula)...so you forgot the words, must be in the water this season.....I still think that both performances were your most confident of the season. You certainly could have stopped and started over - thank you for not doing that! You've got my vote, plus a few :)
David A - You haven't sung yet, but I'm already dreading it....oh glory be he just said, "Love me Tender" and then he just said he hasn't sung a romantic love song yet....THAT"S ALL YOU SING!!! I'm done. GO HOME. GO HOME. GO HOME. Aren't you missing your prom or something?? I think you and Clay Aiken would be besties.
Randy just said he carressed each word. I can't take it anymore. I'm done.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Cat, Please Exit Bag
A couple of weeks ago I asked you to pray for me. I appreciate so much all of the comments, emails and texts saying that you were praying for me even though most had no idea what was going on - that is the beauty of the body of Christ.
Well, today the cat can be let out of the bag. For the past two months I have been in the process of interviewing for a Girls Ministry Associate position at Glenview Baptist Church in Ft. Worth. Today I received the call that I got the job.
The Lord has been so good throughout the entire interview process, allowing me to meet with some absolutely incredible people and really take the time to pray through and examine if this is where to Lord wants for me to serve. I can say with absolute confidence that I have never felt such peace about where I am supposed to be.
Thank you again to all of those who have been praying for over the last several weeks, you mean so much to me, and to those who have been praying without knowing what you are praying for - your prayers are precious!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Down to 5.
Before we get to the contestants, there are a few things that I really feel need to be said....
1. I'm SO over the mosh pit of teenage girls....this is not a concert, it's a competition...find a seat. Every time they start waving their hands back and forth I have a flash back to Michael W. Smith singing Friends are Friends Forever.
2. Paula Abdul has GOT to be the stupidist person on planet earth, and I have met alot of ignorant people. Anyone who watched tonight knows what I'm talking about.
3. I feel like the "mentors" they chose this season are really random. Not that I don't love me some Dolly Parton or some Broadway tunes, but they are just really random choices and many of them with older music that today's generation might not be familiar with....Neil Diamond, come on, was no one else available?
Ok, let's get to the breakdown....
1. Jason - I thought you were great, I think you have a uniqueness like no one else on the show. I'm glad that he went without the guitar for the second song. He has that cool Dave Barnes, Jack Johnson vibe and I just don't think the judges love that, but I certainly do.
2. David Cook - loved both performances, I don't think they were as great or creative as previous weeks but I think that it was by far the best of the night. You will be in the finals.
3. Brooke - Your first song sounded good but performances wise was awkward. I was too distracted by the performance to really listen to you. Your second song was great - this is where I love you, behind a piano belting it out.
4. David A - I felt like I was watching you sing on Kids Incorporated tonight. I know you have a beautiful and pure and great voice, but I need to hear you do something different and if you don't quit doing that weirdee hand thing you will only be popular among 12 and 60 year olds.
5. Syesha - I couldn't focus on anything you sang because you weren't wearing shoes and it's national television. You have a stylist, use her.
Going home - Syesha, since she should have gone home last week.
