My Grandma - Jeanne Margaret Booth: March 11th, 1928 - June 22nd, 2013

Diet Coke.
Soup spoons.
"Want some souse?!"
Cheese Dreams at the cottage.
Her secret, delicious brownie recipe.
Eating honey nut cheerios in her bed.
Sarasota, Florida and Bayfield, Canada.
Her love for golf and her grapefruit tree.
Bathing her grand kids in the kitchen sink.
Her never ending supply of Werther's Originals.
Always wanting to lovingly serve her childhood sweetheart.
Her long, black night gown with the two white stripes across the front.
"Hurry! You can catch Grandpa - he just left to get the paper at the Sugarbush!"
As a child, holding my hand so tight, I thought she was practicing how to make lemonade!

And in recent days, she often asked, "Where's John?"

Jeanne Margaret Booth: March 11th, 1928 - June 22nd, 2013

You don't have to wonder any more Grandma. Today, you've been reunited with Grandpa after almost 3 years. And even more importantly, with your Savior, Jesus. While today is a bittersweet day, I want to choose the "sweet" part, knowing you are no longer hindered by Alzheimer's, reunited with your 1st and 2nd loves, enjoying paradise with the King of the world.

I miss you and look forward to seeing you again someday. I love you Grandma.

Addison Olivia Burrell: June * 17th * 2011

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb." Psalm 139:13

 

Two years ago today, a beautiful baby girl was born: Addison Olivia Burrell.

I can't begin to describe the love I have for this little girl - and she's not even my own! Addie's giggles, smiles, fashion sense, her tender and sensitive heart... I just love her!

Two and a half years ago, while living in France, I found out my sister Olivia was pregnant. As a teenager, she wanted a traditional family for the baby and chose the loving option: adoption. And I am so proud of her for doing that; enduring hard times, and wanting to give the gift of life to a precious baby.

By God's grace, a wonderful family - who actually go to our church and live down the street from my parents - were just the family God had intended to raise and care for this sweet girl. They love her SO much!

Again, by God's grace, our lives continue to grow together - I'm aunt Hannah, my parents are Grandma and Grandpa, etc. Really, it's like they've adopted our whole family. Every time I am home, I get to see her. Actually, when the Burrell's were on spring break in Florida, I saw them several times - including them coming to visit me at my office with Jesus Film - which meant a lot to me! 

I am so thankful I still get to be apart of my niece, Addison's life. It truly is a gracious blessing from the Lord.  

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Check out this Facebook album of when Addie was born

Some numbers for the summer...

Flying through Salt Lake City

This last week, I was blessed to be able to visit some dear friends in California, who I met while interning in France and Florida. Laughter, pictures and good-spiritually-deep conversations were had by all!

In San Diego, I got to spend time with Katie and Chelsea, two girls from my STINT team in France 3 years ago!

In Irvine/Los Angles, I met up with my friend Patty and together we visited our dear friend Margo who we joined staff with last summer in Orlando. Margo was also in France on STINT the same year as me! She served with the Paris Campus ministry while I was in the office resourcing Christian minorities in North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

On my flight back to Orlando, Patty and I flew through Salt Lake City, Utah. As most of you may know, this is a heavily populated Mormon area. Knowing this, I though hmm I wonder how many people on this flight are Mormon...

Once settled in my window seat, I was all set to slip my headphones in, and watch a couple episodes of 24 season one. The above thought kept running through my mind. A mother and her adult son were sitting in my row, and it felt like God kept pushing me to talk to them. Quite frankly, I didn't want to. I wanted to watch a couple episodes of this TV show, work on some projects for my job or even sleep.

After about 10 minutes of sort of watching the show, God keep distracting me with these people. Reluctantly, though I knew little about Mormonism, I decided to obey. I pressed pause on the intense episode, closed my computer, fumbled with my purse before trying to start a conversation with the mom. While "looking for a piece of gum" (aka buying time and trying to think of what to say), the mom complemented my jacket. Boom, conversation started. Not by me, not really by her - by God.

I learned her and her family had been in California for her nephews college graduation. We continued to talk about Salt Lake and her faith of Mormonism. I was nervous, because I didn't want my questions to come across as interested in conversion nor condemning.

I did learn a few things I didn't know about the Mormon faith, like they don't believe the in the Trinity, and that once in heaven,  there will be a hierarchy and some will become gods. The Lord lead me to ask questions that made her think about what she really believed. She even said she needs to study her faith more, and asked what I believe. I shared the gospel and address differences I knew about in our beliefs - like the Trinity.

One of my textbooks for this my class this summer.

I couldn't help but leave that conversation a little down. But I did realized I said all I could have relying on the Spirit and with the limited knowledge of their faith. It did give me a greater passion for the Apologetics class I will be taking this summer in Colorado! I think it is important to be educated in other religions so we can discuss perspectives without ignorance. I'm looking forward to learning how to be the best representative of God I can be as I interacting with others, and I am thankful to be taking this class!

Christianese

This concept is not a new one. It is actually pretty humorous!

- "How is your walk going?"
- "She is such a Proverbs 31 woman!"
- "The Word just spoke to me..."
- "PTL!"
- "Ugh, I've totally been living in the flesh."
- In pop-corn prayer time: "I lift up these unspokens..." and "I'd like to echo..."
- "That is not my spiritual gift".
- "She has such a Jezebel spirit..."
- "I've been looking for some real fellowship..."
- "Want to go on a prayer walk?"
- "I want a man who's heart is for the 10/40 window!"
- "When is your spiritual birthday?"
- "Missionary dating does not work."
- "I think she's a bed-side Baptist at St. Mattress with Pastor Pillow, if you know what I mean..."
- "Oh, he grew up in the Bible-belt of the state."
- "She is the definition of a prayer warrior."

Maybe you know of a few others - feel free to comment and share them!! This could also be a fun ice-breaker for small groups or introducing these concepts to new believers :)

Visitors to Orlando so far

I feel so blessed to have had many family and friends visit me here in Orlando in these 4 months I've been living here. If you are ever in the Orlando area, let me know - I'd love to see you!

Gracie Booth - helped drive/move me back down to Orlando.

 January

Ashlyene Sietz, Margo McCaulie and Heidi Schafer - New Staff Training friends.

February

Bryan and Kelli Baker - stopped by for my 25th birthday party!

March

The Cline family during the girls spring break.

April

Beth Swis - on vacation with her sister and nephew.

Derek Hendrickson and Ryan,  Kendra & Baby King, all visiting for various reasons.

The Burrell Family Spring Break - my niece Addie and family even visited my office!

The disciples make me laugh

Recently for my quiet times, I've been reading through the gospels, "watching" Jesus. Mainly as I see Him interact with His disciples, I'm learning two things.

1. The disciples were so ignorant, it made me laugh many times! They daily questioned Jesus with what He was doing or saying. He often referred to them as "Oh you of little faith" - and they physically walked with and talked with Jesus. They sort of make me feel better when I think I'm "weak" in my faith.

2. Jesus always answered with kind and gentle words. His responses were always seasoned with grace and love.  He was 100% faithful and never got fed-up with them. 

The word "Christian" refers to 'little-Christ's. As believers, we've been given the gift of Holy Spirit, through salvation, the acceptance of a relationship with God. Therefore, He lives within us and calls us to live like Jesus did. That's one of the reasons Jesus came - to be an example for us in how to live life here on earth. And He is ready and willing to help us in that.

I know there are many times I don't utilize His help, and rely on myself - fail. Depending on myself is a set up for failure! I'm only human. But, when walking in step with the Spirit, I am not living out of my own power or abilities - and as much as I want to think I've "got it together" on my own, I don't. And won't without Him! 

Truly responding to others out of grace, kindness and love, I really need His guidance. And I'm thankful He is actively there to help and shows me how through Scripture.