Approaching

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” –Isaiah 6:8 NIV

Last night at Fusion, mission trip flyers were passed out. At exactly the right time, too. God has such a way of having the perfect timing. =]

Throughout the past 3 weeks, I have been reading Journey of Hope by Lurline McDaniel, and Red Letters by Tom Davis. Both of these books are rooted in the stories and situations of the African people. The people that have my heart. The people that I have never met, but already hold a special place in my heart.

So as the informational meeting, application process, passports, and shots are all approaching, Isaiah 6:8 will be my prayer. Maybe the Lord doesn't want me to go to Africa this summer, maybe He wants me to wait. But I know he wants me to go somewhere. And that makes me smile. I can't wait to see what He's got in store!

We leave for Winter Retreat tomorrow. After months and months of prayer, it is finally here. I could not be more excited. From prayer meetings in hallways, to Elevate weekend, to playing hide and seek with the Oates girls, God has moved huge mountains. Man, the power of prayer. I never grow tired of the Lord being so breathtaking. We are finally a family. We are standing up after months of being on the ground. We aren't standing up on our own. We've got a family now. A family with a Heavenly Father that loves us, and has plans for our lives. Plans that start tomorrow.

I can't wait. =]

A New Leaf and Ants in My Pants

Hello 2008!

Five favorite memories from 2007:
-CPP '07
-Mud fights
-Elevate
-Homecoming
-Football season

Five hopes for 2008:
-NYC/Italy with Neens
-Unity
-Be used as a catalyst for change
-Direction for the future
-Joy in the small things

Winter Retreat is in 17 days. I cannot wait. I can't wait because of the Lifehouse skit, the memories that will be made, and the walls that will tumble. I'm so pumped.

Christmas Cheer

Christmastime excites me. The lights, the food, the family, the gift wrapping, the seasonal drinks at Starbucks.
Especially the seasonal drinks at Starbucks.
I like the feelings in the air, and the experience of the holidays.
However, the thing I like the most about Christmastime is seeing people bless others out of the goodness of their own hearts. This makes me smile.
My brother was telling me about the elementary schoolers at his school, and what they do for their "favorite janitor" (they only have one full time janitor at his school). Each student brings in money for this man, because they all love him. My brother said that last year they gave him over a thousad dollars. I know those students have blessed this man's life in so many ways, and I always find myself smiling at stories like this one.
A bank in North Dakota gives employees Christmas bonuses of 1000 dollars. The bonus comes with a video camera. The employees are required to spend every cent of their bonus on someone else, someone in need. A single parent, at the homeless shelter, anything. The employees have to document with the video cameras how they bless others through their Christmas bonuses. I wish there were more stories like this.
I hope that Christmas is a time of giving out of willingness, not out of obligation. Emotions are contagious, and Christmas Cheer is worth spreading.

=] Ambie