When I was 15, I went on a mission trip to New Orleans (pre-hurricane) to minister to the people of Louisiana. I had felt God calling me to do something, to go to a mission field and serve Him. I remember telling a boy I had a crush on that I was going on this mission trip. He told me it wasn't a real mission trip unless I was going someplace out of the country. At the time, and even now, I remember thinking how ridiculous that belief was. As I was talking to a friend today, I realized how much it bothers me when people think a mission trip has to be overseas or when they think being a Continue Reading
For when you’re feeling insecure
"Tell me why you love me," I said to my husband. He proceeded to spout off countless reasons he loves me. But his answers didn't comfort me. I was looking for one particular answer that he just happened not to mention this time. And the tears came. It actually had nothing to do with my husband. Nothing to do with his answers or his love for me. I was crying because I was feeling insecure. I was feeling not good enough. I was feeling inadequate. I have no doubts about my husband's love for me. I wasn't feeling insecure because of him. Instead, I was (for whatever reason) beginning to Continue Reading
A Blessing
Remember when I wrote that post about my friend Ricci? How she is going on a journey around the world to spread the love of God? And remember how I asked you if you would consider financially supporting her? Well, Ricci had a total of $15,500 she needed to raise for this trip to 11 countries in 11 months. She had raised a total of $3,500 in order to meet her first deadline. Ricci was planning different fundraisers such as selling T-shirts or having a dinner with a raffle. She also wanted to speak at my mom's church, where I grew up going. This past weekend, she came and spent the weekend Continue Reading
Winter Encouragement
Winter can be rough. Cold. Wind. Snow. Ice. Dreary days. Cloudy days. Days without any sunshine. The weather alone can be discouraging. It's much easier to become negative during the winter months. Any of you feeling that way? I know I get down sometimes during these bitterly cold months. To offset that :( feeling, I've created this post with several uplifting photos to remind you that winter ends. Sunshine is on its way! I hope you are uplifted and encouraged through these photos. Scroll away my friends. Winter Encouragement Through Photos I will be Continue Reading
Steal My Show: Giving God the Spotlight
The other night, I was really feeling the need for some TobyMac music. I found his latest CD in my car and started to jam. Then the song "Steal My Show" came on. I had heard the song tons of times when I first bought the CD and listened to it over and over to learn every lyric. As I listened this time, I felt the need to share it. In "Steal My Show," TobyMac talks about how he's about to perform at a concert. He says what the concert really needs is God — more than himself, lights, smoke, or even rocking music. In the song, he asks God to steal his show. He says to God, "If you have Continue Reading
Big: Taking God Out of His Box
Who used to watch Veggie Tales? Does anyone remember this song: "God is bigger than the boogie man. He's bigger than Godzilla or the monsters on TV. Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man, and He's watching out for you and me." I sure remember that song. It immediately came to mind when I sat down to write this post. And it is completely true. God is BIG. I think we — pretty much all the time — underestimate God. We have no idea how big He is. We don't comprehend His love, forgiveness, power, mercy, jealousy, knowledge, compassion, ... the list can go on and on to include every one Continue Reading
Head or Heart: Which Should I Follow?
I was talking to someone recently about making certain dating decisions. She was stuck in a place where she felt she needed to choose between two things. She felt like her head and her heart were contradicting each other. I've been there before. Your heart says, "Go for it!" and your head says, "Whoa, wait a minute here." Or vice versa. Have you been in a place where you had to choose between your head or heart? It puts you into a chaotic situation, trying to figure out what is best. A lot of times, I think we feel like we have to choose to listen to one or the other -- our head or Continue Reading
How Our Pain Can Help Us Hit a Deeper Level
We were friends in high school. We hung out a few times, mostly at youth group, but otherwise we were in different groups of friends at school. We were surface friends. Until one day, we confessed to each other the struggles we were facing with staying pure in our relationships. We became accountability partners. Through that struggle, our friendship hit a much deeper level. We had been friends since 2nd grade. We laughed a lot and talked about boys. We wrote notes in classes and had sleepovers. We were best friends, but we were surface friends. Until senior year of high school, when we sat Continue Reading
Communication is Key: Why Prayer is Important
Your friend comes to visit you at your house. You are so excited to see him and get to talk. When he arrives, you hug him and tell him how happy you are that he's there. But you can't sit down and chat with him right then because you have plans. So you tell him to wait in the living room, and you go get ready. You tell him how sorry you are you can't stay with him, but that you'll talk tonight when you get back. But you end up getting home pretty late, and you are too tired to have a good talk. So you just tell him goodnight. And that happens over and over -- you just seem to be too busy for Continue Reading