Ten Days

A few days ago,

I embarked on a journey that would change my life forever.

I knew it would, 

and as I spent my birthday driving to Atlanta 

I came to terms that I was in for a ride of a lifetime.

God had destined for me to be a part of Winshape.

What I didn't see was that these last ten days would make me,

break me, and bring me to the place where I am now.

These days in Georgia have been the shortest and longest days of my life.

I have never been closer to the Lord.

I have never been so comfortable in the unknown.

I have never been myself in this way.

I have 22 new best friends

that I have the privilege of spending the summer with,

traveling from state to state,

sharing the love and message of Jesus

and connecting churches to their community.

My heart is heavy with the gospel and what all I have to do this summer.

What I don't understand is why I've been chosen.

But what I'm confident in is that I am here because I am supposed to be

and what I'm not, my God is.

Update from Training!

Hello all!

Quick update from training!

First, I am having a blast.

I am loving every minute of training and all of my new friends.

Being without constant internet and my iPhone is strange

but so freeing.

We are learning so much and receiveing so much of the Holy Spirit.

God is truly doing some amazing things here.

Baby bro, Barton, is doing well, too.

Well, I'll be back to this on Thursday when we hit the road.

Thanks for all the birthday love and the prayers.

Love you all.

AGH

Happy Birthday, Tracie.

Today is a crazy, busy day.

Today is filled with packing, marking things off my to-do lists

and getting some last minute work done.

Today is madness.

But, today is also a very special day.

Today is one of my best friends birthdays: Tracie.

Tracie and I go way back to when I was in high school. 

I worked at her church and kept her boys.

I even babysat for her a few times.

Years later, God crossed our paths again 

and I'm so grateful he did.

She's always a listening ear and a sound mind.

She's full of wisdom and cries at a good commercial.

We enjoy talks over mexican and margaritas,

watching Revenge or Missing,

and being able to work perfectly together.

Thank you, Jesus, for good friends.

But thank you more for Tracie.

Happy birthday, friend.

Two Days Away

In two days I embark on a big adventure.

I am going to experience a lot of new things.

I'll gain a whole new family.

I'll meet a million new people.

I'll impact the lives of children and families from all over the nation.

I'll have a chance to grow God's kingdom by showing people who He is.

I'll live the next ten days with a camera in hand 24/7.

I'll be teaching children about photography and why it's the most amazing thing ever.

I'll be doing what I love, only what I love, for 11 weeks straight.

And I can't wait.

Oh, and my birthday is the same day.

I just can't believe it.

In the meantime of packing and shopping for last minute items, 

a sweet someone gave me the most gorgeous flowers and I couldn't help but share them.

Trying

I feel like writing, 

but can't compose any thoughts to make sense enough for what I'm feeling.

So then I thought I could share something very real.

I hardly ever never do this,

but here's exactly what I wrote in my journal this morning.

I've become such a strong person in the last couple of years. As I've dealt with some stuff lately I've realized how resilient and determined I am. I am trying to grow into who God wants me to be. I am trying to stand for what's right. I am trying to love people who continue to hurt me. I am trying to fight past sin and it's path of destruction. I am trying to make my wrongs right. I am trying to love others and show Jesus along the way. I am trying to be the woman God has called me to be. I am trying to look past what my family and the world says to be. 

I am trying.

I don't always succeed but I make an effort and that's worth something. All I know is that my efforts will change my life and God's plan will be played out despite my shortcomings. 

Praise you, Father, for a chance at a dream bigger than this girl could ever imagine.

Fortune Come True

Every one loves a good fortune. 

I seem to keep ones that mean more to me, but never really expect or see them come through for some

miraculous life change or wealth or good fortune. 

I got this fortune on April 23, 2012.

It struck a different cord with me so I tucked it away in my journal.

Two days later, I met someone who at the time just seemed like a cool someone

who, like a lot of people, come in to your life as fast as they are out.

But not this one.

Let's just say this is a fortune come true.

And blessed?

I certainly am.

Game Changer

Last week I was privelged with the chance to experience another Orange Conference in Atlanta.

This was my third year to attend, and here's a look back at last year's trip.

I was excited for another year of Orange, but as we got on the road 

I was super stressed and distracted with life at home. 

I got to Atlanta and asked friends who came along to pray for me because I felt so out of place

and like I couldn't concentrate on why I came to Orange in the first place.

Luckily the next morning came with a new and refreshed spirit.

The next few days were spend listening to some amazing speakers,

growing in my knowledge of ministry

and more so, figuring out exactly why God put me on this earth. 

I knew I'd get a lot out of the sessions and the keynote speakers,

but I heard from God more than anything. 

I now know exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.

Getting to that goal is a work in progress,

but I'm thankful to see the bigger picture in it.

It was funny to me that the theme of the conference was 'game changer.'

It doesn't matter what we do in life,

but what matters is how we are going to change lives and show people the love of Jesus.

The gospel needs to be lived out to others and knowing exactly how I'm supposed to do that is a huge undertaking but a massive blessing that I'm humbled to be given.

I can't wait for what the Lord has ahead for me and this ministry.

Big things are going to happen and a owe a huge thanks to Orange and everyone involved.

If you'd like to see what Orange is really about, go here.

If you'd like to read a great recap of the conference, read this.

And here's a few photos from the week and great resources/organizations you should check out!

Rafiki Mail

Land of a Thousand Hills

These were amazing.

Gotta love these ladies.

Too much fun at ROAR.

 Winning stuff from Stuff You Can Use!