The Great Adventure 2009: Begins

Along the road of life we will set out on adventures. Adventures to find our self, to discover the world, explore the unknown, and any other reasons to get away. I set out on the adventure of faith. To follow the Lord and to walk by faith instead of by sight. As I look out my window I quickly see the distance fading out behind me. Wondering what the future holds, I am unsure but I look back on what brought me here to this very point. And that is to trust the Lord, to walk by faith, and to live for the moment. I am embark on a journey many will
dream but few will travel.

I begin my journey with a hungry heart. A desire to grow in faith and to build a foundation on Christ. A desire to live each day and to fully trust in the Lord. To not just go through the motions but to experience life, to embrace the lows, absorb the highs, and to truly experience the love of Christ.

I offer this time to the Lord. The adventure is in his hands. Over the next three months the Lord will be in the driver seat directing the adventure, the path, and the plans. What seemed like another one of my crazy ideas was indeed sparked by the Lord himself. So come along as I share my adventures, struggles, and joys.

However on this adventure I leave my thoughts, desires, and my path behind because the Lord has said:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9

I leave you with this final thought because if there is one thing I have learned, it is that my path takes me through many valleys, so: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

The Great Adventure 2009: Step 2

Step two of the great adventure began with packing! Now how do you pack for three trips in four months all at one time??? Now that is a question I'm still not sure but I did my best. It would be one thing if these adventures would be in the same climate but nope, not for my luck. But that's ok because that is part of the journey the Lord is laying before me.

So I continued to pack and sort through all of the clothes I own. I guess I never knew I had so many but finally I was able to manage to organize this madness and clean up my mess. All nicely packed or should I say stuffed into three bags.
If I forgot something at this point I'll just have to find the closet Wal-Mart. :D

So now I'm off, ready to begin my journey and rely on Jesus' Strength and his ability to provide. Please join me on this journey as the Lord molds and shapes me into the women he created me to be.

God Bless each of you.

The Great Adventure 2009: Step 1

The start of another journey... I never could of imagine what the Lord would do with my life. Over the next four months the Lord will be working in ways I never knew he could. Next week I will be packing up and riding a bicycle around the state of Indiana for Habitat for Humanity. A total of 350 miles. The day after I get back I will be moving to KY. So, last night I starting preparing for my great adventure by cleaning out my storage unit, my car! This might not be to hard for to many people but for me this is a once in a life time task. As you can see the piles began to build up out side the car. After a couple of hours you can see that there is a huge improvement. I can't remember the last time my car has looked this good on the inside. I think it might of been eight years ago when I bought it.

Many who know me will love the next photo. Now, here is a question for you. What do you keep in your trunk???? After cleaning through the piles, only the necessary items remained. For me I found my first aid/tool box, a blanket, scraper, kite, and yes crutches! You never know what adventure the Lord will send you on and you never know what shape he will bring you back in.

So with that said I pray that the Lord keep and protect me on this adventure with him. May the Lord provide for all my needs and allow me to grow in my relationship with him. For he is the Lord Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and above all my creator!

Life Lesson

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,
it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Refresh

Over the last week I have had very little sleep. My mind has been processing all the choices and life decisions I have to make. Each morning however I have been blessed with waking up and reading the KLove Encouraging Word of the day. On Sunday when I was first faced with me decision of picking up my roots this summer and moving I felt completely overwhelmed. However the Lord showed me to look to him and to trust him with the path he is leading. This is the verse he shared with me...

Let me hear of your unfailing love in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer.
~ Psalm 143:8

Wow, Lord you will show me the path. I didn't realize how powerful this was tell looking back on my week. On Monday I was beginning to question the Lord's path for me. My faith in him was starting to lack and be replaced with selfish desires. Then over the next couple of days the Lord shared Philippians 3:9 and 1 Corinthians 12:31 with me.

I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.
~ Philippians 3:9

So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.
~ 1 Corinthians 12:31

The Lord was opening my eyes to the fact I was desiring not his will but my own. I was afraid of being broken down so I could be built up. Of being exposed of the truth. I was trying to cover-up the path the Lord was laying by coming up with reasons why I shouldn't follow. How he once again answered with...

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
~ Matthew 6:33

With that I questioned the pain I would travel through, the heartache, and the exposure I would be placed in. But the Lord comforted me with Isaiah.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
~ Isaiah 43:2

For I know the Lord will be with me. His hand will be guiding my path and my desires shall now becomes his. The Lord will carry me and then let me crawl and then he will offer his hand and I will stand up. I will stand on his rock and my foundation will be on him.

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
~ John 3:17

Along the walk I will learn to only seek Jesus approval. For only by the Son am I saved.

This morning when I woke up I was overwhelmed by the encouragement the Lord gave me. I was wondering how would I be able to make it Lord through the summer, walking by faith?? I am often reminded of my ability to be very hard headed. I would say the I just have a extremely high will power, but you can say it however you would like. If someone told me that I couldn't do something I would prove them wrong. I was always quick to respond and stand up for myself. This summer I know the Lord will be molding me in this area. How, I'm not sure but I know the Lord will be working his will. He reminded me of this in today's verse...

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
~ James 1:19-10

So will the Lord give me the ability to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to angry. I'm looking forward to this opportunity and as one of my friend said I am looking forward to being bubble gum. Being chewed, spit out, and sticking to Jesus. For then the Lord will do the walking and directing all the turns on the road of life. Never again will I be alone.

I praise the Lord for showing his will for me and directing me through my hard headed desires. May I be refreshed by his desires and seek him everyday of my life. This week was just the start of the journey we are on and I can't wait to see the amazing work he is doing.

Until next time may the Lord be with you and grant you peace!!

Cheer up pup!

A good friend of mine used to always be able to cheer me up, with the simple words of, 'Cheer up pup!' The beaming smirk coming from there face was irresistible and made me laugh every time. I tried to fight it off but with all my strength I was never able to stay in a grumpy mood. This came to my mind today as I try to seek Jesus' smirk to overcome this grumpy mood I have been in for way to long. Everything seems to be pushing the wrong buttons and I can't seem to find a way out. I search and search and I pray for direction and strength to overcome this period of my life.

Day-by-day

Each day I turn to the Lord to praise him for the abilities he has provided me. The ability to walk, to dance, and even to cry. Today, I joined Jesus in a time of submission. Walking arm-in-arm with him around campus. Learning his plan for me and how he must break me of my own hard headed strength so that I can completely submit myself to him. I began crying over my past ways and at that moment the Lord began crying with me. I felt the gentle hand of the Lord reaching down to me. I lifted my arms and began dancing in Jesus' tears. The cares of the world disappeared and over the next hour I had the most intense conversation with Jesus I have ever had. Laying my heart and mind at his feet so he could soften them. I walked down the isle with Jesus' and recommitted my love for him. Submitting to his power, grace, and his will for me. So each day I will praise the Lord for his strength and his will to not only submit to him but to every brother in Christ.