He is Enough
Feb/091
Today, as I was scrolling along Mark Batterson’s Blog, I came across a post called “Is Your Dream Your Idol?” Here’s a little excerpt (Batterson is quoting Phil Vischer):
Here’s the question: “What do you love more, your dream or God?”
Here’s the thought: “At long last, after a lifetime of striving, God was enough. Not God and impact or God and ministry. Just God.”
Here’s one more thought.”The impact God has planned for us doesn’t occur when we’re pursuing impact. It occurs when we’re pursuing God.”
Being in youth ministry has its ups and downs. Understanding student’s commitment levels can sometimes be frustrating and even hurtful at times. Nik & I often ask ourselves “Why can’t we make more of an impact on our students’ lives?” We are often striving to be fulfilled by God and impact or God and ministry. But really, God is enough. He always has been, always will be. In fact, He is more than enough. He is all that we need or could ever want.
Starting Out
Feb/094
Dad’s Girl
Feb/090
Today is my dad’s birthday. I talked to him this morning, sent him a present and posted stupid videos to him with Nik. I like birthdays. I always miss my family a lot when there is a birthday; so, I try really hard to have a presence. Ha. I always have a presence. 
Anyway, I was reading 1 Corinithians 13 this morning and reading about how important love is. You can be incredibly capable, smart and have everything figured out, but if you do not have love, none of those things end up mattering. I started thinking about how my dad is such a great example of love. He IS incredibly capable, smart and has many parts of life figured out. But, he also has love. To some, my dad can be little intimidating when he is focused and means business. But if my dad sees someone in need, someone who needs mercy or just a little compassion, he drops everything to show that person love. I can remember times when he was really busy with “important” things at the church, and someone came in that needed money or some food, and he took care of it. Or when someone needed help with a relationship, and my dad took the time to listen. These are the things we are supposed to be doing. It is love.
I just wanted to take time today to salute my dad and all that he has taught me and shown me about the great love that comes from God. Happy Birthday, Dad!
Confession
Feb/093
So yesterday Nik got hit in the face with a driver disc while playing disc golf with some of the youth group boys. It was a pretty huge gash and so I met him at the emergency room. We waited for what seem to be like an eternity. I was starving and tired, but someone finally saw us after the 3 + hours in the waiting room. Nik obviously needed stitches, but was still at the bottom of the list. So after another hour or so, he got them. The gash was pretty nasty, but I thought - “I’ve never seen anyone get stitches before, so I am definitely watching.” But before the stitches, comes the numbing shots. The doctor shoved that big old needle all around and IN that gash. Gross. Then he started stitching. I really wanted to make sure that he was doing a good job because the cut is on Nik’s face. So, I watched. After about three (of the eight) stitches, I thought I better sit down for a second. And then it started….I couldn’t hear very well, and black splotches started showing up all over the place. I was hot, but freezing. I could feel all the blood draining from my head, and Nik said that I was completely white. I had to put my head between my legs for a few minutes until it all subsided. So, I confess: I am a girl. A total girl with a weak stomach. And while my poor husband was getting sewn up, my body decided to start passing out. Embarrassing. I am a wuss. And now I know it.
Love, Love, Love, Love
Feb/090
HAPPY birthday
Feb/092
Today I turn 25 years old. I have lived a quarter of a century. As my close friends & family know, birthdays are big to me. But, this birthday seems really big. It represents a rite of passage almost - its helping me step back and look at my life in a more serious way. I’m not talking about being a grown-up [because I really hate that word] - I’m talking about making sure my priorities are straight and that I’m doing the best with what I have and learning to live in the joyous moments that God has provided.
For me, this means putting God first and really making time to learn about him, read about him, talk with him and listen to him. It also means that I continue to put tons of effort into being Nik’s wife. I work hard on letting go of control, being patient, speaking more kind words and making sure we have fun together. Its also important that I take time to connect with my family, Nik’s family, my friends here in Daphne and back home, and continuing to develop and maintain relationships with the students of Anthology.
Alright. First - what are my highest priorities? God, my home with Nik, our church and world missions, my health and well-being, my closest friends and family. What are my best resources? My time, money and talent. Focusing my resources on my highest priorities will surely help them stay priorities - and help them be successful.
Tough. Really tough. Can’t my worst attitudes be in my deepest disappointments? That sure is more natural. But without this great sense of optimism, a person is surely going to gravitate towards depression and bitterness when met with disappointment. I’ve witnessed bitter people. People so consumed by their ordeal, that they can’t enjoy anything. How do I ensure that I will not be that person? By having a great attitude with everything that comes my way. Sure, everyone is allowed to be upset, angry, frustrated and sad. But, as Christians, I think we need to let that emotion out and be done with it. Move on. Replace it with a positive disposition. I am going to work a lot harder at that.
Something’s In the Water
Feb/090
The Springfield water plant must have something extra special in it these last few months…because everyone is getting pregnant! A very special congratulations to my great friends Lyndsey & Jeff Cherry. They are expecting this coming September. Very exciting! I wish the two of you the best during these next months and as you start the journey of parenthood.