Round-a-What?

We have a new shopping center here in Birmingham-no suprise, but what is a suprise is right in the middle they "installed" a round-a-bout. Sometimes called a round point. How to proceed through a round-a-bout is second nature to me now--after using them hundreds of times in Africa, but they aren't second nature to about 95% of people in Birmingham, obviously.

Now, just in case you don't know, the purpose of a round-a-bout is that traffic should not have to stop at an intersection--you yield going in and yield going out-and there is no backup no matter how busy the intersection is. That is the principle at least. Although I have never seen it work perfectly, us here in "the Ham" still need A LOT of work.

Where Was He?

My pastor is preaching on the attributes of God right now. Yesterday was the attribute of God's Providence. It's a concept I suppose no Christian will ever fully understand--how is He in control of everything, and yet He has given us free will. But it is good to be reminded that He does hold all things together and that He can do whatever pleases Him--after all-He is the creator of the universe. But my pastor said something that really struck me. He said that often people say to him, "Where was God when my father got sick and died, where was God when I lost my job, where was God when I went through this hard time. . . where was God when my son died?". And his response was this-"He was the same place He was when His son died." So the truth is this--no matter what we go through, no matter how lost we feel, or how far away God seems--He is still on His throne! He is still in control! Nothing can thwart His will! And nothing can rip us out of His hands!

Ruin Me

Watermark led worship at my church tonight--this is what I walked away with:
LIVING WATER SWALLOW ME
DEEPEST RIVER WASH ME CLEAN
JESUS, SAVIOR MORE OF THEE
MORE OF THEE
COME AND RUIN ME WITH YOUR LOVE
SO NO OTHER IS ENOUGH
COME AND LEAVE YOUR MARK ON ME
JESUS, MORE OF THEE
MORE OF THEE

Sisters, Sisters, Don't Come Between Me and My Sister

I've been thinking alot lately about how important my sister actually is to me. It's amazing the difference a few years and some time apart has done for us. We've always been pretty close, but lately she has truly become my best friend. So, here's a list of reason's why you can't help but love her. And I hope you all get to meet her someday.
1. She is obsessed with all things chocolate!!! I've never seen anyone be as ready for dessert as she is. She is up serving it before anyone else can even put their fork down from the meal.

"A sister is both your mirror -- and your opposite."
2. As a child, she created her own language--and she continues to use it with those of us who have known her long enough to know what she is saying!
3. If at any time-day or night- you wonder where she is or what she is doing, there is a 99% chance she is somewhere studying. She has her mind set on what she wants to do with her future so she will not take ANY chances!
4. She is faithful to her friends. The friends she had in 3rd grade remain her good friends to this day--no matter how their life, or her life, has changed, she is someone you would always want to consider your friend.
"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."
5. She is obsessed with all things pink. She wears pink at some point in some way every single day of her life. It's her signature color--and it's perfect for her.
6. Last, but most importantly, she loves the Lord and is willing to follow Him wherever He leads. She went on her first mission trip this past summer, to share Christ with Muslim refugees in Paris, and she can't wait to know where the Lord will allow her to go next. She has set Him before her as her goal--to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him with all her heart, soul, mind and strength.

"She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child."

The Future of West African Missions

My mom asked me to speak to her GA's. Exciting right? Only what do I say to 3rd graders to keep them interested and getting them excited about Cote d'Ivoire? So, after pointing to Abidjan on the map and telling them that it is the world's largest COCOA producer (lots of chocolate)--which they were really excited about, we played dress up. They were so fun and were naturals at the head tie--

they even played games in them. I couldn't even keep mine on through a church service!

They look like they'd fit right in to me!

Out Play, Out Wit, Out Last

Now I didn't watch SURVIVOR last night. I guess I am defying American culture by not watching the one show that has shaped our culture over the last 5 years. But I did watch the local news after. And one of the big stories was that there are 3 SURVIVOR'S from here in the HEART OF DIXIE. They mainly focused on one--named Ibrahim. And his father's name was Sulayman. That may not mean much to most of you, but for me it was too cool cause that is a name I heard all the time in West Africa. So I'm thinking-even though he is totally American I guess his family wants to keep some of that heritage. So next time you watch SURVIVOR, remember to pray for the people of West Africa!

Smarties

I've realized something about myself. I love to eat "Smarties" candy. But I'm not sure that I really like Smarties. I remember smarties were one of my Daddy's favorite candies. So we ate them together all the time. And now, everytime I have a chance I eat a roll of them.

Isn't it funny the things we hold on to?

ENOUGH

ALL OF YOU
IS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ALL OF ME
FOR EVERY THIRST AND EVERY NEED
YOU SATISFY ME WITH YOUR LOVE
AND ALL I HAVE IN YOU IS MORE THAN ENOUGH

YOU ARE MY SUPPLY
MY BREATH OF LIFE
STILL MORE AWESOME THAN I KNOW
YOU ARE MY REWARD
WORTH LIVING FOR
STILL MORE AWESOME THAN I KNOW

YOU'RE MY SACRIFICE
OF GREATEST PRICE
AND STILL MORE AWESOME THAN I KNOW
YOU'RE MY COMING KING
YOU ARE EVERYTHING THING
STILL MORE AWESOME THAN I KNOW

MORE THAN ALL I WANT
MORE THAN ALL I NEED
YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ME
MORE THAN ALL I KNOW
MORE THAN ALL I CAN SEE
YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ME

Thoughts

The Reality of the Cross:
"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. . . Suffering, then is the badge of true discipleship. The disciple is not above his master. Following Christ means passio passiva, suffering because we have to suffer. That is why Luther reckoned suffering among the marks of the true Chruch, and one of the memoranda drawn up in preparation for the Augsburg Confession similarly defines the Church as the community of those 'who are persecuted and martyred for the gospel's sake'". Bonhoeffer

And Understanding of His Call:"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." Luke 14.26"Wherever a group, be it large or small, prevents us from standing alone before Christ, wherever such a group raises a claim of immediacy it must be hated for the sake of Christ." Bonhoeffer

He has been teaching me a lot lately about what it means to truly follow Him, to be willing to get out of the boat, and risk sinking, to walk with Him. Am I ready?

The Beginning

Two roads converged in a wood
and I, I took the one less traveled by--
and that has made all the difference!

Winter Wonderland?

Well, since our friendly groundhog announced that we would have 6 more weeks of winter, I thought I would take this chance to share with you what "winter" means in Alabama.
Here's something you may not know about me--I have never, ever, ever had a White Christmas (although it is one of my favorite movies!).

However, the land of Dixie does turn into what we would call a Winter Wonderland every once in a while.

A couple of weeks ago, everything and I mean everything iced over and it was actually pretty cool.

Friends, New and Old

Me, Will, Kate, Chris, and Katie
Will and I are still standing strong to win the "last to get married" bet.

I'm a Wanderer, Yeah a Wanderer

I roam around, around, around, around. . . So, how do you figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life? It seems like everyone I know has it all figured out, except me. Am I bound to roam forever looking for something, anything that I would be happy doing forever? Everyday something different sounds exciting, something different seems like I could be happy doing that forever. But could I? After spending 2 years being a part of what He is doing to bring the nations to Himself can I serve Him in America and still feel like I am making a difference? I just don't know! Is there anything other than serving HIM that can make me happy? The reality is no, but it is a hard lesson learned. Can I be still and wait patiently for my Father to work? I hope so. I know He has big plans for me, but knowing something awesome is going to happen makes me even more anxious and ready for whatever it is.
"Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us." Billy Graham