Seasons

I can wait. But, at the same time… I can’t. But I will cause I kind of have to. But I want to because I should as it keeps me focused. (Man, that rambles like Paul’s difficult-to-follow-writings in Romans 7:14-20.)

I’ve been learning I need to enjoy the season of life I am in. Currently, that means living back at home, with my parents and younger brothers (no longer little), in the cool -Michigan - fall, with limited community, relying on the Lord to provide financially through the giving of others. Sometimes, my sisters are home on the weekends, which is awesome. It’s not my ideal world, but for this season, I want to enjoy it cause God knows it’s good for me.

When it comes to times of the year, autumn is my favorite season.  I could take pictures all day long of the changing beauty. Fall is something I don’t really get to experience in Florida. Last year, a friend and her kids (Bethany Montgomery!) mailed me some fall leaves. It made my week when I got that letter! This fall, I am thankful that God has me here in Michigan to experience it.

Three times this week, I got to spend time with my cute niece Addison. She is starting to walk on her own, pointing to everything thing and asking, “What’s that?”.  She impresses me each time with the amount of sign language she knows! Remember when you were a baby? How frustrating it was to communicate but you couldn’t speak yet? (Yeah, me either… but!) Being on this side of the communication wall, it is so cool to communicate with her as she uses the motion of her hands… at age 16 months! She even creates sentences out of them – “Please” “More” “Milk”. 

It makes me think of that movie Baby Genius. The babies eventually “cross over” to adult communication abilities. I wonder if, to some extent, that biologically really happens (and maybe that’s a dumb and obvious fact I just don’t know)… Either way, I love watching this season of her life unfold as she learns to communicate.

Also while being at home, I’m meeting up with lots of supporters, family and friends. It’s great to catch up on life and reconnect with people who I don’t get to see on a regular basis. Especially as I will be moving 22 hours away to work in Orlando. This is a season that I want to learn to appreciate and be thankful for – reflecting on all the people who make it possible for me to be a missionary.

Seasons come and go. It’s good to enjoy where you are and what God is teaching you in that time. It is also important to remember that He is faithful through out all seasons and stages of life. Praise Him for that!

“8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6: 8-10

"God Save the Queen"

"What does it mean?" We were both puzzled, unsure of the origin of this phrase.

Last October, during my internship with Campus Crusade for Christ in Orlando, I met Meena. She had been interning with the Disney program for several months and still wanting to experience some true American culture. As our initial conversation continued to unfold, so our friendship began.

We baked that apple pie right there, oh yes we did.

We ended up spending the classic, American holiday - Thanksgiving - together. I think Meena would agree, that this was a good "taste" of American traditions.

In the next couple of weeks in December and early January, we continued to hang out, going out to eat at classic American restaurants like Cracker Barrel and the Cheesecake Factory. We had many conversations about our internships, living in different countries, culture and religion. Based on the questions she asked, I knew Meena was definitely searching for the satisfaction only a relationship with God could bring.

Dinner at Cracker Barrel - biscuits and gravy! 

As the end of January approached, so did the end of Meena's internship and ultimately, her time in Orlando. As limited as it was, I was excited and thankful for the time we had spent together. We continued to stay in touch through out the spring and summer months. I was trusting God to continue to work in Meena's life as she had moved home.

WHICH HE DID!!! A couple of days ago, I skyped with Meena and she told me she had become a Christian!!! 

She explained to me that our friend Bryn had described the gospel in a creative way. We each have report cards, full of C's and D's, but Jesus has a report card full of A+'s! Because Jesus loves us so much, He is willing to trade His report card with us, so we can succeed and have a relationship with Him.

This August, she was visiting friends in Orlando. During her visit, she faced some challenges and tough choices. Toward the end of her trip, as she was processing life, her future and her journey thus far, she decided she wanted to trade report cards with Jesus. She realized He was pursuing her and wasn't going to stop.

Praise God for technology!

Since then, "I've been focusing on God, learning to really enjoy Him. My job right now is to become more Christian (Christ-like) everyday" Meena said this afternoon. My jaw dropped a little bit at how God has been transforming Meena in her newfound relationship with Him. Truely awesome!

It was so great to hear more of her testimony/story, listen to her questions and experiences as a new Christian. I asked her if I could write about her and share prayer requests.

Please pray:

• First that Meena would continue to trust in the Spirit and His work in her life.
• For a teachable heart to soak up the Word
• For patience and trusting God to heal and lead

And Praise God for a new sister in Christ!!!

It's here! It's here!!

Praise God!!! The Jesus Film App has now been released for download in the Apple Store, with the Android app soon to follow in the Google Play store.

Please download it, play with it and let me know what you think! Tell your friends, post it to Facebook, Twitter or email your friends.

Know of some missionaries overseas? Share this with them! Think of how this will help them communicate the gospel in the native tongue of the country they are serving in.

I would also love to be in contact with any missionaries you may know of - email me their contact info so I can encourage, inform and share ideas with them. As someone who has lived overseas in a country where I did not know the language very well, I can see so much potential for this ministry tool!

Thankfulness, Prayer and Hope: September

Things I am thankful for...

• A supportive family who believes in what I am doing with my life
• Reaching 50% of my support raising goal
• The season of fall: changing color of leaves, apple cider, football games
• Dark chocolate and it's wonderful flavor
• The ability to laugh at myself

Things I am praying and trusting the Lord for...

• Connecting with the other 50% of my support team
• Searching, budgeting and buying a "new" car
• Relationships - a lot of my genuine community is at a distance and I want to use this 'solo' time to draw closer to Him
• The official release of the Jesus Film Media app for Apple products (sooooo soon - check my blog again this week maybe!!!) 
• Daily surrender to trust Him and His leading

Things I am hopeful and looking forward to...

• Eventually buying my own, first, nice car
• Reporting to my job with Jesus Film Media in Orlando
• The New Staff Follow Up conference in October
• Hopefully running the Turkey Trot in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day parade
• Snow... can I say that? It's almost been 2 years!!! I want to snowboard so baddd

Here's a question for ya...

When it comes to blogs, what do you like to read about?

I've realized that a lot of times I write about my job, how I have seen God at work, prayer requests and recently I've posted videos...

The reason I started this blog two years ago, was to stay connected with family and friends when I was living overseas. After being State-side for over a year, I have continued to blog and this and that - and I admit, I've enjoyed looking at the statistics of readers. I'm analytical like that *adjusts nerdy glasses*.

So I was wondering... for you as the reader, what do you like to read about? When I read other people's blogs, I personally like pictures and different kinds of media and obviously cool stories. I want to write posts that are meaningful, playful, fun and refreshing. I want to share stories of encouragement, randomness, joy and amazement. 

Thoughts, ideas, opinions?

Jesus Film Media

The Jesus Film Donor Video from Cooke Pictures on Vimeo.

"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus"

On Sunday, this song was played at church. I loved it.

When I drive, it's crazy how many times I find myself on "auto-pilot" driving by places, landmarks and roads I've seen hundreds of times before. As I was driving down a familiar road this morning, I found myself looking off into the distance and up to the clouds in the sky. Amazed by it's great vastness, it's unique beauty, it's unending horizon - I remembered God created all of that. Meaning not only is He creative, but He is HUGE.

He is a big, artistic, creative and caring God. In as much thought that went into that scene I saw for a few moments, how much more does He have precious thought, care, love, patience, and desire for what's best for me.

Often times, I find myself getting caught up in the here and now. I start grabbing at the "steering wheel of life" to steer it myself, rather than trust in where the Lord is leading. Sometimes, I take time to reflect on past life situations and experiences; (which I should do more because...) every single time, He has proven faithful. Looking back on the whole story, I can see where and how God was leading. Hind-sight is always 20/20 right? In reflecting on these moments, I want to continue to grow my trust in Him.

1. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just to take Him at His Word;
   Just to rest upon His promise,
   And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
2. Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just to trust His cleansing blood;
   And in simple faith to plunge me
   ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just from sin and self to cease;
   Just from Jesus simply taking
   Life and rest, and joy and peace.
4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
   Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
   And I know that Thou art with me,
   Wilt be with me to the end.