Seriously?

I woke up sick this morning. And while I don't think it's anything that's going to last long, it feels very flu-ish. I'm achy, feverish, have had a constant head-ache, and no appetite. It's the pits.

On top of all of that, we are moving next Thursday to Cordova (where we were living) since we are now, once again, working and going to school there. While I was at the high school here, it made more sense to live here. But with Brian in school in Cordova and me working and also going to school there, it's only smart to move back. I'm kind of excited. I love the apartments there. They're new and clean and big. But, anyway, we have a LOT of packing to do before then. I can barely stand for 15 minutes without collapsing. Needless to say, that doesn't help with productivity.

I don't have much to say tonight. Just general whining and such. I promise to blog more later. In the meantime, check out my first vlog. I realize that I seem very awkward and weird in it, but that's kind of what I'm going for - for entertainment purposes. Plus, I've had close to 100 views in less than a week! There'll be more to come on that in the future. If you haven't seen it, check it out below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQNFCd2zWwY

In the meantime, I'm off to whine some more. Laters.

cuteness.

Just sharing a photo of my niece, because I think she's the greatest. No bias here. Just fact.

Questions for God: Number 2

Why armpit hair?

I Am

My friend Mandy, whom I have never actually met in person, blogs each week about a "Life Well Lived" (read about it all and much more here). Her latest posts have inspired me to share my own similar stories. (By the way, Mandy and I began talking via twitter about the Grilled Cheesus episode of Glee and I've followed her Tweets, Facebook, and blog ever since. I'm not a stalker. She's just quite talented and has a lot to offer - especially for you performers out there!)

I digress...

A few years ago, I took a trip with about 30 other college students to Athens, Greece for a week of ministry. For me, that adventure turned into a short journey of self-discovery.

I remember it being our first day of ministry. Before we began, we went to Mars Hill, right at the Acropolis and all the beautiful ruins of ancient Greece. I can't even begin to accurately describe to you how beautiful this place was.

Our group had a seat on the hillside overlooking the entire city of Athens and one of the missionaries stationed there began reading from Acts 17:

²² Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. ²³ For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

²⁴ “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. ²⁵ And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. ²⁶From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. ²⁷ God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ²⁸ ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’^[b]

I've never been one to seriously doubt the existence of God. But at the time, I was very guilty of "believing" what I believed simply because I had been told my whole life that it was true. I had never taken the time to challenge what had been presented to me and see if it was all I had been told it was.

There wasn't anything magical about this moment on Mars Hill. There wasn't any soft music playing. The sun was beating down on us and tourists from all over the world were passing by. I wasn't alone in a dimly lit room with ambiance and smoky haze. But I had the greatest revelation that I've yet to have in my lifetime at that moment.

"I Am."

I heard those words as clearly as you hear those around you speaking everyday.

"I Am."

At that very moment, I KNEW that there was a God. I knew that there was a Creator. I knew that He fashioned me and called me out among the world to be His and to serve Him. I knew it wasn't a fairy tale. I knew it wasn't a crutch. I knew God IS. I knew that, at that moment, He was calling me to be His messenger and (just like He told Moses) to tell them that "I Am" had sent me.

I realized the stunning, breath-taking beauty of that moment. I was in a place that, thousands of years ago, one of the greatest servants in Biblical history stood to tell a polytheistic people about the ONE, TRUE God. The God in whom we find life. I was standing in that very place - a place written about in scripture.

Later that week, we visited the ruins of Corinth and followed the path Paul took as He brought the same message to the Corinthians. With every step, my faith strengthened ten-fold. Suddenly, the Bible wasn't just a storybook. It was truly the Word of life to me. These things happened. Everything - from start to finish - happened.

How are we assured of things in history? Most will tell you it is because we have written accounts of them - penned by people who witnessed it.

"For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we we eyewitnesses of His majesty." 2 Peter 1:16

It's not a myth. It's not fiction. It's the story of redemption of God's people.

It's the story of what God did for me and the rest of the world.

That moment on Mars Hill changed my life forever. I will never forget the moment I was aware of His majesty, His character, and His existence.

...And if He is willing, I will return next year to share that very experience with my husband. And in years to come, I will do that very same thing with our children.

Creator, Maker

Life-Sustainer

Comforter

Healer

My Redeemer

Lord and King

The Beginning and the End

I Am

Yes, I AM.

Mars Hill:

Questions for God. Number 1:

Why do certain people that are unable and unwilling to care for babies in the manner they deserve to be cared for get pregnant when there are others who wish for children and have difficulty ever having them?

Just a thought. No doubt in His goodness here. Just thinking.

Lessons from stalking.

That's exactly what I had moments ago.

I admit that I am somewhat of a facebook stalker. Ok. Ok, I'm almost a genius facebook stalker. Long story short, I was on Brian's facebook when I happened upon one of his college friend's page. I have never met her personally. All I know are the few stories I've heard from Brian and Justin (Brian's best friend). I have friends who know her and say nothing but wonderful things about her.

I've thought of this stranger often in the past few weeks. Back in February, she and her husband lost their son at birth. I remember the day a friend of mine who knew her called me to tell me to pass the news along to Brian and to pray fervently for her. And I did. But my heart ached so badly at the thought of what she must be going through. I could hardly fathom it.

I never had the chance to say anything to her. I figured that time wasn't really the best time to introduce myself, even if it was for the sake of letting her know she was in my prayers. I prayed anonymously instead. I've thought about her a lot and today happened, as I stated, upon her facebook page (while being the ultimate Facebook creep, I know).

What I saw posted on her page versus what I expected to see were totally different. After all this poor girl had gone through, she was nothing but encouraging, faithful, and completely loyal to God. I put myself in her shoes for a moment. Would I have reacted the same?... She was totally dependent upon the promise of Jeremiah 29:11. She was the virtual epitome of grace and trust in a faithful, loving God. It was absolutely inspiring.

As if my stalker tendencies weren't creepy enough, I also found her blog. A post stuck out. I don't know her and I certainly hope she wouldn't hate me for posting this, but I was so humbled by her love and character in this post.

I pray that I could have the outlook on life that this incredible young woman does. I pray that in my darkest days and nights, I would be reminded of His promises. After all she and her husband had been through, she saw the wonderful blessings of it all. I pray that Brian and I would learn to lean on each other in the manner that this outstanding couple has done. I have no other words to describe it than truly inspiring.

I am so grateful for encounters like these - strangers who are used for a greater purpose than they could ever possibly imagine. I am thankful for people who go through trials and learn each day to trust and continue in faithfulness to Jehovah Rapha - God, our Healer - and become an encouragement to countless others -- whether they know it or not. And while I wish ever so much that pain did not have to be a part of her life or the lives of those who endure situations like this daily, I pray that their stories will continue to touch the lives of many, many more who need it.

Thanks for lessons through Your faithful servants, Lord. To God be the glory.