Hi there :) I've been so blessed in the last little bit of my life and it's been incredible. Today I just want to share from a grateful heart of all my blessings and encounters that have shaped me into the person that I am today.
Today is day 5 on my new job. Every single day has been a challenge for sure but each day has also seriously been the biggest blessing. I am working with people with hearts to touch those in desperate need in Haiti and it has been so incredible to see how much my volunteers sacrifice to touch those in need. I just got off the phone with a volunteer in Canada and she was talking about how blessed she had been by SP and I responded "I'm truly the blessed one because I'm coordinating for the BEST volunteers in the world." It's true...my volunteers are the best, most generous, most gracious and most humble volunteers in the world. I appreciate them and appreciate every single step in the journey that has led me to this desk at this minute with this calling and assignment.
The Lord doesn't do anything on accident. I always say that when I graduated and started with SP that I landed my dream job right off the bat and that was true. That season came to an end and I had to move into another job, but to think that a year later I'd be right back where I started, living the dream literally and excited to go to work everyday is the most undeserved privelege.
Moving on from job land (because I could talk about it all day, but won't bore you), we had our first team Ecuador meeting on Sunday night. This team is unreal ya'll...I don't know how the Lord even found all these perfect team members to come together as one and love Ecuador. We are in the process of learning some dramas and skits (hilarious) and just bonding together and enjoying each other as we grow together! Just 38 short days until we fly out for Quito -- CRAZY! and so exciting :)
Today a co-worker approached me to talk about division in our office. Let me preface this by saying that this is the last person I would have ever expected to confront the issue of division head on, but she did and I was so honored that the Lord let me speak to her about the importance of moving forward in love and continuing the believe the best. I have to admit that I was a little caught off guard because the particular experience she chose to talk about was a little bit of a hard subject because I had to answer on someone else's behalf, and that is NEVER easy. It really challenged me to encourage myself about believing that at the core of people is the innate desire to be good, to lift others up and to show love through relationship. I'm very thankful to be in a broken and divided office beacuse it means that through love we can start to mend relationships here. Historically there's been a lot of gossip and other unecessary dividers going on here, but I'm excited that as we move forward together, we get to see the real Jesus stand up in here and change lives. That is such an honor to be a part of!
I realize that this blog has just been an update on life and a few cool Jesus things, but thanks for reading :) Praying you are filled with the most joy today as you begin to see the Lord move in your life!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
thoughts on investment.
Before you read the title and think I'm blogging about money, let me just dismantle that thought...I am not talking about money. Relax, read on :)
Today is a new day! You know, when I really started being serious about Jesus somwhere mid-college and pursuing after a life that modeled his, I ran into this revelation of seasons. That for every time there is a season and for every season there is a purpose. I had never really thought of my life before as divided into seasons...well, aside from the normal Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter (haha). The more I mature and develop, both naturally and spiritually, I recognize the importance of unhindered investment during seasons.
I think of all the opportunities that I've been presented with in my life and always remember the significant people who intentionally invested in me in order to see my success in that particular season. AND I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I think of how those investors taught me what I know and gave me what I have and spoke to my potential and believed in me constantly. I think of how my investors refused to see me dwell on my failures and rejoiced when I succeeded. I think of how they encouraged me constantly and lovingly rebuked me when I needed correction. I realize that I am where I am today sitting at the desk I am right this second because of intentional investment. I realize that it's time for me to invest.
In my last blog I talked about goodbyes always being such a hard and emotional thing for me. Call me sensitive or whatever you want to call me, but they are. Yesterday, I said goodbye to the sweetest season of growth and professional development and to a faithful friend. Today, I stepped into a world of really growing up and taking on challenges by myself that one year, six months, three weeks ago I never would have said I could handle. I think I figured out the overwhelming challenge in goodbyes for me is that I view my relationships as intentional investment. If I'm your friend, I want to do all that I can to prove to you that I'm a good friend...but I've been doing it the wrong way. I've been seeking the approval of others instead of relaxing, trusting, abiding in the Jesus who taught about seasons and investment. I've been investing my emotions and not my life.
So here I am, new job, new day, new view on investment. Today, I'm deciding to overhaul my view of investment. To put my actions where my emotions and words are. To be an investor in others so that they can experience the blessings they deserve to experience. In this new season, I choose to value the sweetness of those who have poured themselves into me and I choose to take that encouragement and pour it onto others. I'm valuing what it means to see the incredible sweetness of Jesus and of the God who loves us in everyday life and tasks. I'm redefining "everyday" and not looking at the monotony and challenge but looking at the blessing and goodness in every purposed season and step.
Here's some great assurance from my QT this morning: "I couldn't be more sure of my ground -- the one I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end." 2 Timothy 1:12
I hope you're encouraged by that. I hope you're encouraged today that you are where you are because God has intentionally placed people to invest in you and get you there. Keep guarding that good deposit that's been made in you so that you can deposit and invest in others. Happy Thursday :)
"Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you -- guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." 2 Timothy 1:14
Today is a new day! You know, when I really started being serious about Jesus somwhere mid-college and pursuing after a life that modeled his, I ran into this revelation of seasons. That for every time there is a season and for every season there is a purpose. I had never really thought of my life before as divided into seasons...well, aside from the normal Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter (haha). The more I mature and develop, both naturally and spiritually, I recognize the importance of unhindered investment during seasons.
I think of all the opportunities that I've been presented with in my life and always remember the significant people who intentionally invested in me in order to see my success in that particular season. AND I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I think of how those investors taught me what I know and gave me what I have and spoke to my potential and believed in me constantly. I think of how my investors refused to see me dwell on my failures and rejoiced when I succeeded. I think of how they encouraged me constantly and lovingly rebuked me when I needed correction. I realize that I am where I am today sitting at the desk I am right this second because of intentional investment. I realize that it's time for me to invest.
In my last blog I talked about goodbyes always being such a hard and emotional thing for me. Call me sensitive or whatever you want to call me, but they are. Yesterday, I said goodbye to the sweetest season of growth and professional development and to a faithful friend. Today, I stepped into a world of really growing up and taking on challenges by myself that one year, six months, three weeks ago I never would have said I could handle. I think I figured out the overwhelming challenge in goodbyes for me is that I view my relationships as intentional investment. If I'm your friend, I want to do all that I can to prove to you that I'm a good friend...but I've been doing it the wrong way. I've been seeking the approval of others instead of relaxing, trusting, abiding in the Jesus who taught about seasons and investment. I've been investing my emotions and not my life.
So here I am, new job, new day, new view on investment. Today, I'm deciding to overhaul my view of investment. To put my actions where my emotions and words are. To be an investor in others so that they can experience the blessings they deserve to experience. In this new season, I choose to value the sweetness of those who have poured themselves into me and I choose to take that encouragement and pour it onto others. I'm valuing what it means to see the incredible sweetness of Jesus and of the God who loves us in everyday life and tasks. I'm redefining "everyday" and not looking at the monotony and challenge but looking at the blessing and goodness in every purposed season and step.
Here's some great assurance from my QT this morning: "I couldn't be more sure of my ground -- the one I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end." 2 Timothy 1:12
I hope you're encouraged by that. I hope you're encouraged today that you are where you are because God has intentionally placed people to invest in you and get you there. Keep guarding that good deposit that's been made in you so that you can deposit and invest in others. Happy Thursday :)
"Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you -- guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." 2 Timothy 1:14
Friday, May 11, 2012
life lately.
Long time since a blog and I'm sorry sorry sorry to you faithful 5 readers, haha!
My life has been opportunity after opportunity and blessing after blessing these days, and I'm happy to report that I am fully funded to go to Ecuador! Thank you, sincerely, to all who donated and prayed. Please keep praying for our team! I'm so incredibly excited about this trip and all that we will experience while loving on those sweet people. I've also transitioned roles at work and am now functioning in my new position. It's a lot to grasp, but things are going well and yes yes yes, I have an office with a window once again. THAT is a blessing.
I also was able to go to Florida a couple of weeks ago and see my sweet newlywed friends Ty & Bekah for some much needed R&R and laugh and fellowship time. I really really want to move back to Florida, and I believe one day it will happen, but for now...Boone is home.
It's also a time for goodbyes. I have never been good at goodbyes. They always make me emotional. BUT I know they have to happen. Last week I said goodbye to my sweet friend Brooke. Brooke has the most beautiful heart and in our time as student friends and post-college work friends she has blessed me in every single way possible. I'm thankful for the afternoon walks, the talks including her incredible wisdom and encouragement and the way that she could be real with me like no one else. She created her own holiday, so forever live on in my office Brooke Davis day!
Also, one of the sweetest and most hilarious additions to the past four years of my life and especially to the praise team aspect of it is leaving to do HUGE things for the Kingdom this weekend. So much love to Anna "Ann-tuh" Wilcox! What a blessing you have been in my life and in the lives of so many here in Boone! We are proud of you and happy to see you doing big things but so grieved to see you leave.
This next week marks a lot of big things for me. I'm growing up fully as the biggest blessing of my time at SP is leaving this office and moving into dream life & marriage with another wonderful life friend of mine. That means no more resource for questions, but I'm excited because I know that I was clearly called to this new position for a reason...flying solo will be a learning experience for me, but is bound to bless me.
I'll leave you with my favorite vocal warm up from the days of the Alt-anator: F-R-I-D-A-Y, F-R-I-D-A-Y, Fridayyyy, Fridayyyy, my favorite day of the week! Happy Friday, friends :)
My life has been opportunity after opportunity and blessing after blessing these days, and I'm happy to report that I am fully funded to go to Ecuador! Thank you, sincerely, to all who donated and prayed. Please keep praying for our team! I'm so incredibly excited about this trip and all that we will experience while loving on those sweet people. I've also transitioned roles at work and am now functioning in my new position. It's a lot to grasp, but things are going well and yes yes yes, I have an office with a window once again. THAT is a blessing.
I also was able to go to Florida a couple of weeks ago and see my sweet newlywed friends Ty & Bekah for some much needed R&R and laugh and fellowship time. I really really want to move back to Florida, and I believe one day it will happen, but for now...Boone is home.
It's also a time for goodbyes. I have never been good at goodbyes. They always make me emotional. BUT I know they have to happen. Last week I said goodbye to my sweet friend Brooke. Brooke has the most beautiful heart and in our time as student friends and post-college work friends she has blessed me in every single way possible. I'm thankful for the afternoon walks, the talks including her incredible wisdom and encouragement and the way that she could be real with me like no one else. She created her own holiday, so forever live on in my office Brooke Davis day!
This next week marks a lot of big things for me. I'm growing up fully as the biggest blessing of my time at SP is leaving this office and moving into dream life & marriage with another wonderful life friend of mine. That means no more resource for questions, but I'm excited because I know that I was clearly called to this new position for a reason...flying solo will be a learning experience for me, but is bound to bless me.
I'll leave you with my favorite vocal warm up from the days of the Alt-anator: F-R-I-D-A-Y, F-R-I-D-A-Y, Fridayyyy, Fridayyyy, my favorite day of the week! Happy Friday, friends :)
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