Heavy Calling

I told myself I would recap every week of the summer on my blog.

One, so friends and family can keep up with the insanity.

And two, so I can feel some type of normalcy to my current lifestyle.

Yet as I've been compiling the last three weeks
and going over memory after memory,
I was hit with some news that is heavier than most
and needs to be shared so God can receive all the glory.

Two weeks ago, we were in LaGrange, Georgia.
I'll write about that memory soon,
but there was a little boy there named Hakim.
He was a sweet, trying child that a lot of our staff came in contact with.
One even spent almost two hours with him talking about God,
sharing the gospel and even lead him to accept Christ.
We all fell in love with Hakim. His charm drew you in
and kept your yearning for more of his sweet disposition.

Today, we were shocked and saddened to hear that he passed away earlier today.
We were suddenly hit with an array of emotions.
We're broken to hear of his tragic death.
We're shocked at how we were there just a few short days ago.
We're joyous at his decision to accept Christ just days earlier.
We're hurting for a community that poured nothing but love into his life.
We're clinging to God and his goodness, his sovereignty and love.
We're grasping to the reality that Hakim is resting in the arms of Jesus.

Hakim and his story brought a realness and a reality to us today.
I spent the evening with some staff, having milkshakes around the table.
We just sat in silence as we read his story.
Tears of sadness and joy streamed down my face,
realizing that the last thing we ever said to him was,
"Don't just think it's you, give credit where it's due."

What we do matters,
but what matters more is people coming to know Christ.
God is using us. He is living inside of us all
and although tired unbelievably exhausting and heavy,
it's a calling I take strongly and humbly.

No matter what, our job matters and it's making a difference.
And it's not about us.
It's about HIM.

To read Hakim's full story, click here.

Recap: Last Two Weeks

It seems crazy to think that my birthday was a little over one week ago. 

It seems like weeks have gone by.

I wrote about how staff training was affecting me,

but people have been asking for photos and I've finally gotten time to share some.

Here's a look back through some photos...

As I got ready for camp I got a nice birthday breakfast.

Thanks, Mom.

Little bro gave me some swag to take to Winshape.

It's worn well so far.

I got ready, grabbed my luggage 

and headed to Atlanta.

Once we arrived I showed off my awesome trunk...

And said goodbye to Matt as training week started for the other two siblings.

And normal life as I know it was on pause for ten days.

So much information,

and new people

and so many emotions.

And an awesome private concert from Dave Barnes (go Nashville!).

But the days came and went and we found ourselves at last Thursday.

We got up, packed up and headed out as the yellow team.

Training had ended and we were off on our summer.

We headed for Madison, MS,

which is where I am now.

I've got through the road trip with some sweet texts...

and pit stops where I can found perfect waffle fries.

Once we arrived we had the luxury of unpacking the truck...

 which only took an hour and a half,

and if you didn't know,

that's amazing.

Since we've been here we have worked in the host church preparing for an awesome first week.

Lots of supplies, boxes and organizing.

But after working ourselves hard for two days,

we are able to see our work paying off and preparing for big things.

 My nights have been spent like so...

 Studying curriculum, reading the Word and watching some basketball.

Just imagine 8 or 9 girls and one hotel room. 

Best time ever.

 We've been able to have some time to enjoy ourselves, too.

I was introduced to Sno Biz shaved ice.

You walk up, try and pick one flavor out of a million

and it is phenomenal. 

 We've also been blessed with a community who is treating us like gold.

We have enjoyed some true southern hospitality 

and quality time as a team and family.

Life is good and Winshape is wonderful.

Keep checking back for some updates.

Love to you all.

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.