I AM who God says I am

The more I went against His will the less I talked to Him. My prayers became shorter, far less frequent and almost rehearsed. I didn’t put my heart into my prayers because I no longer had faith that they would be answered. Week after week my Bible sat in the same place, unopened. I knew what I needed to do and what I needed to pray for, but I continued to ignore it. Fat chance any blessings would come my way since I was knowingly and willingly going against His teachings and what I had so strongly come to believe in. My desire to please Him was no longer my first priority. My flesh failed me and my heart quickly followed. Now more than ever His grace and mercy were undeserving.

Isolating myself from others has always been a struggle of mine, but now I found that I was isolating myself from God. It took me 43 years to finally give in and let God into my life. Until that point I didn’t want to live His way, so I didn’t. Simple enough. Believing in God and His Word wasn't a problem. The problem was I knew it took more than that to be a Christian, so as long as I didn't take the plunge I didn’t have to live with any guilt of following my ways instead of His. Quite frankly, I had no desire to give up living life my way. I loved God, I just preferred to do it at a distance.

In May of 2012 I gave up and told God, “Take it! All of it. All of me. I can’t and don’t want to do it on my own anymore.” That day changed me for the rest of my life. I was overwhelmed with His love and the peace that He gave me.  I knew I had finally found what I was looking for.

...and then, it happened.

It didn’t happen all at once, but eventually I realized I had fallen. FallIen farther than I ever thought I would (no, there's no body buried in my backyard). Little by little I started compromising what I had so strongly come to believe in. Instead of becoming more of who God created me to be, I was becoming less of who He created me to be. I couldn't even stand the girl I saw in the mirror anymore. Guilt consumed me. There was no way of hiding who I was becoming from God, so instead I found myself trying to justify what I was doing.  I even started to believe that the woman I was months before wasn’t really who God meant for me to be. Making myself believe that I wasn’t meant to be “her.” No longer was I all in with God. It’s sad what we tell ourselves to make ourselves feel better about our behavior. The old me didn't stress about letting Him down. This me found it unbearable. The guilt of the choices I was making was tearing me apart. I felt like I was cheating! Cheating on God. I hope you have no idea how awful that feels. I made a commitment to Him and I didn’t do that lightly. But when my temptations started arising, I chose my way, the easy way, and I shut Him out. I chose not to talk to Him about my sins, because I knew what He would say and I didn’t want to hear it. 

Maybe none of this makes sense to you, and maybe it’ll only make sense to those that have been where I was.  Life is all about choices and compromising, but please don’t ever compromise your faith. Don’t ever convince yourself that the man or woman that you are becoming in Christ isn’t really who you are meant to be. Don't believe the lies of the enemy. He knows our weaknesses and he knows when to attack. Without the Lord I am so very weak!  Don’t do what I did and convince yourself that maybe you’re not meant to be a Christian on fire and settle for being a luke-warm Christian. Be hot or be cold and don’t settle for anything in-between. No one wants a mediocre relationship and no one deserves that, especially God.  He understands temptations and I believe even sheds a tear when we start to lose our way, but each and every time He welcomes us home with open arms. There's always a way back, but the longer we wait, the harder it is.  No one ever said the road to Heaven would be easy, but there's not a doubt in my mind it'll be worth it.

Peace out my brothers and sisters!
Love out Loud! 

Romans 7:22-25
My mind and heart agree with the Law of God. But there is a different law at work deep inside of me that fights with my mind. This law of sin holds me in its power because sin is still in me. There is no happiness in me! Who can set me free from my sinful old self? God’s Law has power over my mind, but sin still has power over my sinful old self. I thank God I can be free through Jesus Christ our Lord! 

Revelation 3:15-16

I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!     

Never Believe the Lies

It's been almost a year since I've been on here.  So much has happened, but at the same time nothing has happened.  I ended last year single, looking for a job, recovering from surgery and wondering where I went wrong.  I'm about to end this year single, looking for a job, recovering from surgery and wondering where I went wrong.

Twice in the last couple of weeks while sitting at the kitchen table doing my devotions, I gave up. I grabbed my coffee, walked out to the living room, sat down on the couch with only the lights from the Christmas tree, and poured it all out to God.  As soon as the words, "Good morning God," came out of my mouth, the tears started flowing. I was mad, I was sad, upset and lonely, but most of all I was tired.  Tired of going through life alone.

Without a doubt I know God has a plan (and possibly a man) for my life. On some days though the lies creep in. You see I have this little demon on my shoulder, one who thoroughly enjoys bringing me down.  He (yes, it's a he) tells me that I'm not good enough, that I'm physically falling apart, that I struggle to make ends meet, I have a "job", not a career, I'm not pretty enough, my track record with men isn't the greatest and he says God isn't going to give me another chance at a relationship. This is just the start of his lies, but thankfully I have an angel on the other shoulder. Let me tell you, she's got her work cut out for her.  She's a fighter though and she usually wins.  But on my darkest days I can hardly hear her and I begin to believe the lies.


I'm not sure why the feelings of loneliness have been so bothersome lately. I'm sure a lot of it is the holidays. Maybe it's because I'm about to have my 5th surgery in less than 2 years and once again I'll be dropped off at home, alone. Oh how I would love to have a hubby around to baby me, just for a little bit. Or maybe it's because I have this adorable little grandbaby and every time she does something fun or cute I look around for someone to share it with and realize it's just me. No grandpa, just grandma. Or it could be because I've been craving an artery clogging juicy cheeseburger and bottomless fries from Red Robin and I know I'm going to need someone to wipe my chin and roll me out when I'm done devouring this sinful treat.  I suppose it could also be because I have this longing to have someone walk beside me to share my faith with.  Recently we had our Christmas service at church. Although it was a great service, I had to fight myself to not get up and walk out. I was surrounded by hundreds of people, yet I had never felt more alone than I did at that moment.  To top it off my eyes started leaking.  Ugh, I hate that! I seriously wanted to grab my purse and run.  I suppose another reason could be because I've been off work for over 3 weeks and I've had plenty of time to look around and realize I'm alone. What I eat, what I watch, what I do, even if I decide to get dressed for the day, that's all up to me. As enticing as that may sound to some of you, trust me, it's not all that. As much as I enjoy my alone time, I wouldn't mind tackling the task of learning to share my life with that special someone.

I'm not looking for attention, compliments or sympathy. It isn't easy for me to share this part of myself and trust me, there are plenty of people I wish I could keep from reading this. I'm sharing because I know I'm not the only one that fights these feelings of loneliness.  We live in a world where so many people hide their feelings and wear a mask to hide who we really are. It's okay to feel this way though, even Jesus felt loneliness.  We just have to know how and when to pick ourselves back up. Reading through Psalms is always a great start for me.

Even though we get lonely, we are never alone. Our Lord, Our Savior, is always, always right there with us.  Sometimes He's walking beside us, sometimes He's carrying us when the burdens of life are weighing us down, and other times He's sitting patiently beside us waiting for us to acknowledge Him. We live in a crazy, fast-paced, instant gratification world. We want everything now! We look for comfort in things or in people, but the only true place we will find the love we desire and the peace we crave, is to truly walk with Jesus. Not just to believe in Him, but to take the time to get to know Him and spend time with Him. I've always loved my devotion time in the quietness of the mornings, but I've been slowly getting away from that.  When I slack, I notice a difference in myself and not a good one.  I'd still sit at the kitchen table with my coffee and sometimes read my devotions, sometimes just open the book and not actually read it.  It was then that I realized I had too many
distractions.  Mainly, Facebook. My mind is a jumbled up mess enough as it is, so I didn't need any help losing focus. I knew it was time to train myself all over again and get back to my old habits. I decided it was time to temporarily deactivate my FB. My first love is my relationship with Christ and when I put my time with Him on the back burner, everything in me suffers. I wouldn't leave the house without spending time with my spouse or giving him a kiss goodbye, so I shouldn't leave or start my day without time with Jesus either.

I read somewhere that when we get lonely we should treat it like a severe allergic reaction.  Grab an epi-pen and give ourselves a shot of truth. Go to your Bible, go to God in prayer, or reach out to another believer. One that you trust and that's not afraid to speak truth into you. Or in other cases, raise your hand up to your shoulder and push that little demon right off. Stomping on him wouldn't be a bad idea either. Either way, the best cure for loneliness is having an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

I trust you Jesus.  I trust your plan for my life and I trust in your timing.
Have a great day and Be YOUtiful!! :)

"Make time for the quiet moments as God whispers and the rest of the world is loud."

Psalm 62:1-2
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Yo! Check this out! :)
http://youtu.be/Zlw3jG2pE8w

Why I threw in the towel and quit life...

I recently took a stroll down memory lane on my Facebook timeline. I got there by accident, but ended up sticking around and reading some of my post from my first days on fb in '09, till mid-2012. I didn't even recognize that girl, but must admit I miss her! She was funny, perverted, loud and reckless. She loved life, men, sex and drinking.  She enjoyed hanging out with friends, playing poker and going to bars. She was shy, but flirtatious. She knew how to have a good time, but for everything she thought she had, she lacked more. She lacked self-respect, self-esteem and had no clue what unconditional love in a relationship was. Many more times than she would like to admit she thought she found love, thought she found who and what she wanted and needed.  Each time she found it, she was sure it was going to be her last.  Love came easy for her. She'd fall in love fast and hard and always jump right in feet first, or maybe that was heart first.

Life was easier. Life was carefree. She had a lot of friends, she didn't have awkward moments with family and getting a date was never a problem, but...

Life.was.less. She was lost, lonely, broken, damaged, wounded, used and abused. She didn't love herself, yet wanted others to love her. She was proud and controlling, she was selfish and angry, she was hard and bitter. When she did receive love she would eventually reject it and walk away from it, leaving that person broken, confused and rejected. She certainly wasn't up for any mom of the year award either.

After 43 years of attempting to make life work, the only thing she seemed to be good at was failing. Failed marriages, failed relationships, failing her family and her kids, failing herself, failing at life! All she wanted to do was throw in the towel and quit...and that's exactly what she did. She quit!

She quit living life her way. Before she was born she had the love of her life pursuing her. She was being pursued by the one who loved her more than anyone could even imagine. What she longed for in life, what she craved in a relationship was right there in front of her the whole time. She didn't want it, she couldn't run from it fast enough, she rejected that love over and over and over again. That love was God's love. That love is God's love.

I quit! I quit running. I quit rejecting Him. I opened my heart to God and His love. Love that would never fail me, never disappoint me, never not have enough time for me and never tell me one thing and do another. He found me right where I was and called me by name. Do you understand what I just said?  In all my filth, dirt and grime, in all my guilt and shame, HE called me! He called me because He wanted me! The King of Kings, Almighty God, Lord above all things...yeah that ONE! My Savior! HE called ME to follow HIM and He even called me princess!  Not only did He pick me up and brush me off, He washed away my sins, cleansed me from the inside out and made me whiter than snow. He made me brand spankin' new! He loves me so much He died for me. ME! I can't get over that. His scars brought healing to my wounds and because of His undying, everlasting love, my wounds are now healed and those wounds have become beautiful scars. Scars that I don't have to be ashamed of. Scars to remind me of what I once was, but was able to overcome because of my Heavenly Father never giving up on me.

That girl I once knew is gone. She faded about 20 months ago and my last glimpse of her was about 17 months ago. Don't get me wrong it's not always rainbows and unicorns. Sometimes I miss her. Every once in awhile I crave the taste of alcohol and the freedom that I felt at those moments. Sometimes I even miss the ease of sliding into a relationship with a man. That girl had a mind of her own though and stubbornness like that got me nowhere quick.

No matter what I had (thought I had anyway) that I lost, I gained way more than I could have ever imagined. I gained love that I've always longed for, peace that I never even knew existed, love and support from family and friends and so many new friends. Friends that love me, walk with me, teach me, grow with me, strengthen me, support me and even hold me accountable! Yes, even that last one pleases me. Lord willing I'll even have a Christ centered marriage someday. That's the only kind of marriage I'll have mind you. I've learned patience and humility. I've learned so many things in this past year and a half.  I've learned to quit trying to do things my way and give it ALL to Him. He's in control and everything is done in His timing, His way not mine.  I now know what I could have missed out on had I never been obedient by answering His call to follow Him. Of all the things I've gained, the one thing that I treasure the most, that no one can ever take away from me is...eternal life. I can't even begin to try and explain how excited it makes me feel to know that someday I will see Jesus, my Father,  face to face and spend every moment of my days with Him. That just blows my mind!

Dare I say...till next time, since it's been 6 months since the last one. Be YOUtiful and Have a blessed day!

"We don't have to clean up our act to follow Jesus. He'll do the cleaning up for us." -Pastor Michael Drury

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds

Watch this music video if you have time.  It says a lot about what I just wrote and it's FUN!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFA5Bitv7w

I choose to love

Look!  Wait, don't look.  I can't help it I have to look, but I don't want them to see me looking.  I'll keep my sunglasses on and just move my eyes, not my head. That way they won't know I'm looking.  Sound familiar or am I the only one? We've all seen them. Homeless, street dwellers, pan-handlers, beggars, whatever you choose to call them.  I don't like putting a "name" on them, but my point is, whether it's a pan-handler at the intersection of a major shopping center, a man sleeping on a park bench or someone whose clothes and shoes may look a little worn, we tend to look the other way.

I'm not looking the other way anymore. Every Monday night I go looking for them. There are usually 3-5 of us that fill a backpack full of food, socks, hygiene products, etc. and walk the streets of downtown Ft. Wayne.  

Instead of avoiding eye contact I now look them straight in the eyes and I listen.  I listen to their stories. I listen to their needs. I hear what they have to say and I care. I really care! I talk with them, smile with them, laugh with them and if they want I pray with them and I hug them. Some of them call us the "church people," but they know we're not there to Bible thump them. We're not there to judge them, look down on them, try to change them, save them or preach to them.  We're there because we want them to know we care. We're there because we want to be there! We're there because we choose not to look the other way.  We're there to let them know they're not forgotten.  We're there because they are human just like we are and get this...we were ALL made in God's image! Yep, that means you, me, the street dwellers, the neighbor next door that you don't like...errr, ummm, hmmm, maybe that last part is just me. 

My first night out we were at the park where several of them were being served dinner by another ministry and a storm came in. Quick! We knew it was coming, but thought we would be done by the time it hit.  No such luck!  The wind kicked up, it started thundering and lightening. Unfortunately we had to cut it short that night. We made it back to our cars right before it started pouring down rain. Can you guess what I did on the way home?  I cried ! Haha, imagine that.  None of them walked out of the park as quick as we did.  Why would they? Most of them have nowhere to go.  Sure they can seek shelter under a bridge or a tree or in a doorway, but they can't get away from the wind, the noise, the temperature changes and quite possibly they are still going to get wet. Even if they don't get wet, their bedding that they have hidden somewhere more than likely will be soaked.  I had a car to run to and a house to drive home too. I'm blessed. I'm fortunate. 

Several times when I go out, other than the usual snacks and canned meat, I put together 3 or 4 goodie bags. It's just a bag of snacks, a water and a flavor pack. The night of the storm I had one left before we scurried out of there. I saw one guy that I knew was living on the streets so I walked over to give it to him.  Even though the storm was coming he was still sitting in the grass, eating his dinner, quite content.  I said his name and handed him the bag.  He raised his eyes and just looked at me.  He looked at me like he couldn't figure out why I was giving that to him. He looked confused, but grateful. That look he gave me, that look in his eyes, made my night! 

I won't look away. I'll know their name. They'll know my face. I'll ask what they need that I can bring the following week. I won't judge. I won't ignore. I'll build trust. I'll choose to love because He first loved me. I choose to love and I choose to love out LOUD!! 

Have a great week...Be YOUtiful and you guessed it...Love out LOUD!! :) 

John 13:34-35 (NLT)

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Waiting for my Bill

If you could thank one person in your life time for making a difference in your life, who would you thank?  When I was in college I had to write a short essay on this question. My answer is still the same today as it was then.

I'm sure most of you have heard the term, "Waiting for my Boaz." It speaks of Ruth from the Bible. Short version...Ruth was a young widow who was raised to worship a god called Chemosh. She walked away from her home town, her people, her past and her god.  She moved to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law who was also a widow, Ruth became what we call today, a Christ follower.  Yay!! In Bethlehem she met Boaz. A hunky (my version remember) older man, a man of God. Ruth had baggage and a past that most Christian men back then would run from. She had no kids, but she had an ex mother-in-law in the picture, that's worse than kids! Even so, Boaz married Ruth. Woo-hoo!  Ruth is a short book of the Bible and one I absolutely love.  Check it sometime.

Are you wondering where this is going?

It's time for you to meet the one person that has made a difference in my life. His name is Bill. He is my step-father of almost 40 years. My mom and dad divorced when I was 3.  I am the youngest of 3 girls, the other two are 6 and 7 years older than I. So here my mom is in the early 70's, single with 3 young girls. My mom and Bill were set up by their mothers. My thoughts about that are, his mother was hoping my mom would settle down Bill's wild ways.  Boy did she!!  Oh wait, I think I should say, "Boy did WE!"  My mom was quite the catch so needless to say they feel in love! Wild Bill soon became Sweet William (song reference, Google it).

I treated him badly growing up! I resented that he wasn't my real dad.

It wasn't until I moved out at the age of 18 that I realized how much Bill meant to me.  No matter what I did to him or said to him he never gave up on me.  He always loved me. When I finally grew up I realized how much he did to show that love for me.  I was in many activities growing up and Bill was always there to support me and cheer me on.  If I had somewhere that I wanted to go Bill would take me without hesitation.  I never heard him complain to my mom or anyone else about the way that I treated him.  He was and still is a wonderful father.  I don’t ever remember him introducing me as his step-daughter.  Growing up I may not have liked to be called his daughter, but I now realize how much that meant to me.  He never saw me as anything other than his daughter.  I believe in his eyes I was his daughter not his step-daughter.  

I recently met a man that has known Bill for many, many years.  He told me Bill is one of the biggest transformations he has ever seen. 

Bill is a true man of God. A gift from God specifically created for my mom and her 3 daughters! I can't imagine my life without him. I thank God for him everyday! He may not have been the dad that fathered me, but he is and always will be my dad. 

So there's my story of Boaz in our century. They DO still exist!  :) 

It's not always easy being single and at times I want to take it in my own hands and find a man on my own, but I'll wait on God's timing.  I have faith that God is not only preparing me for my Bill, but He is also preparing my Bill for me.  

If you're single and ready to ditch that status of "single" I pray that you have patience, that you keep your faith strong, continue to build your relationship with God and find peace in knowing that everything will work out in His timing. Maybe you're getting frustrated in thinking that you're ready and you can't wait much longer, but if it makes you feel any better maybe this time it really is "him" and not you.  ;)  

Have a great week...Be YOUiful...Love out LOUD! 

Biblically, waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be. 
John Ortberg

“A truly God-seeking man longs for a woman with a Christ-consumed heart.” — Lauren DeMoss

What's my purpose?

This past week we celebrated 4th of July, also known as, Independence Day. Just another one of those holidays that gets lost in all the hoopla of celebration instead of actually "celebrating" what it's really all about.  We hear fireworks for days (and nights) on end, for weeks before and after the 4th. We're excited for a day off work or an extra long weekend if we're really lucky. We spend our time cooking out (then pigging out), with family and friends at the lake, by the pool, drinking adult beverages, sitting in a crowd with strangers getting mauled by mosquitoes so we can, " oooooh" and "ahhhhh," at the loud booms and the pretty lights in the sky.

This was the first Independence Day that I took the time to thank God for being born in the USA, the Land of the Free! God didn't just pick our parents that we would be born to, He picked our country that we were born in. Wherever we were born, there's a reason. Seriously, can you imagine me a 5'9" Chinese girl?

We were also all born for a purpose. Sometimes I struggle with knowing what my purpose is. Okay, that's not true, I struggle a LOT with knowing my purpose, but not near as much as I use too.  I have a restlessness inside of me that I can't quite explain.  My soul is at peace with God and my faith (finally), maybe it's my heart that's restless? Or my spirit?  I can't explain it.  I rarely feel like I fit in anywhere (I'm okay with that) and I'm not one to pound a piece of a puzzle in a spot that don't fit either.

God put an ache in my heart for those less fortunate. My last blog talked about how my heart yearns to do God's work in other countries, but now I want to tell you what I've been doing right here in my home town. One night a week for the past month I have been going out with, "Saints on the Streets (S.O.S)."  It's a small group that hits the streets of downtown Ft. Wayne once a week to be God's hands and feet, caring and sharing with the homeless, with men going through rehab at the Salvation Army and some that are just down and out. We stuff our backpacks full of mostly food and hygiene products. This is out of our own pocket, but it's pretty amazing how God is able to fill our backpacks week after week.

We head out every Monday evening at 8:30 pm, walk, talk, share, serve, give, laugh, listen and pray till 10 or 11 pm. We could sure use your prayers during that time.  Pray for our safety, for us to come in contact with those that may have the most urgent need, that we have the words to speak and an ear to listen. We may take a different route each week, but generally we go to the Salvation Army, Freiman Square, Headwaters Park, under bridges and along the river bank.

I mentioned that we fill our own backpacks every week.  If you feel that God has placed it in your heart to help out financially we would sure be grateful, just $5.00 goes farther than you can imagine. I'd be glad to make arrangements to pick up any donations.  Some items that are often asked for and can be purchased at the dollar store are: body wash, razors, foot powder, shaving cream, body spray, tooth paste, bar soap, deodorant, batteries, socks, bottled water and snacks. Keep in mind that we mostly serve men. Other items: flashlights, tarps, tents, blankets, hand warmers, coats, watches, sleeping bags, hats and gloves AND bug spray.  Of course if you feel God pulling your heart strings to fill your back pack and walk with us that would be awesome as well.

Feel free to contact me if you would like to help or have any questions. Keep an eye out for future blogs that will be about our actual "walks" downtown.

"Like" us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saintsonthestreets?fref=ts

Website: http://sosfortwayne.com/

Till next time...Have a great week...Be YOUtiful...Love out LOUD and be thankful for your FREEDOM!! :)

"There is a lot that happens around the world we cannot control. We cannot stop earthquakes, we cannot prevent droughts, and we cannot prevent all conflict, but when we know where the hungry, the homeless and the sick exist, then we can help."

Enlarged heart

I'm gearing up for my 2nd mission trip. I'll be going with a group from church again, this time to Dominican Republic.  I'm excited to share my love for God with people from another country. Other than ministry our focus will be medical, construction and general skills.  Maybe I'll dodge the first 2 and hang out with kids and babies all day.  ;)

I had a friend from church ask me, "Are you going to go on all our mission trips?"  I laughed and admitted that if I could I would. I'm physically able, my job permits the time away and I have the support of great parents to help with my daughter while I'm gone. My daughter is also supportive of this so she doesn't mind. My goal is to have her go with me in the next few years. She actually had her first experience in missions last week.  Some of the church youth group traveled to Michigan to spend the week working on homes to help build up the neighborhood.  She was also able to work at a homeless shelter for one of those days.  So yes, while I can, I will attend mission trips.  I don't know what next year will bring, let alone tomorrow. So I'm going to grasp the moment while I can.

I'm not sure if any Google searches will support my definition or not, but my idea of missions is using our spiritual gifts to serve others. Doing that doesn't have to take you overseas.  It can be in your own backyard and they can be so simple. If you gift is Mercy, cook a meal for a new mom or for a husband whose wife may be in the hospital...Administration: join one of your church committees, every committee needs at least one member who can keep the others on task and help organize...Evangelism: help others grow and share their faith...Teaching: teach others what you have learned...etc. One of my gifts is Shepherding.  Which boggles my mind.  I have taken some of these test over and over again because I just knew something was wrong and the more I read the description the more I knew I must have misread a few questions in the test to get this result. No matter how many times I took it or how many different ones I took, Shepherding was always in the top 2-3 of my Spiritual Gifts. Jaw dropping, head tilted, wrinkled forehead, confused look...yeah, I know, me too!

When I went to India last fall someone asked me, "Why are you going half-way around the world to do God's work, isn't there enough you could be doing in the United States?"  I have to admit I use to think the same way. Every fall my parents church have a chili supper/auction to raise money for missions.  Usually used to support missionaries overseas.  I used to think that was crazy!  We need the money too, keep it here, spend it on something in our own church community. When I re-committed my life to Christ last year many changes happened in me. I was like the Grinch who stole Christmas, my heart grew, and it grew, and it grew. Not only did it grow, but it opened and boy did it open to global missions.  I'm doing many things here at home, but my heart yearns to work in missions in another country.  God doesn't see borders, so why should we?

Have a fantastic day...Be YOUtiful...Love out LOUD!! :)
Stephanie

My new favorite song!!

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

James 1:27 (NIV) 
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.