Morning Joy!

Every morning, I look outside to see what wildlife awaits me. This week was no different. It thrills my soul and brings me such joy to see God's amazing creatures outside the window. We put birdseed into the feeder, and no joke-it's gone within 12 hours. The birds go crazy eatin' it all up!

We call this one devil bird. I'll have to post a video of her soon. She comes and bangs on the window almost daily starting at 6 am. I don't know why she does it, but she'll flutter into the window over and over again. She's pretty much insane, and it's obvious there are no brain cells left in her. :)

This was the first time I saw this guy. Unfortunetly I missed him hanging for dear life off the actual feeder. It was a funny sight to see, but he couldn't last. I haven't seen him again. I think he gave up after only trying one time to get into the food.

The cardinal was beautiful! I loved his colors!

She was pretty as well.....enjoyin' a morning stroll through the woods.

Thanks for visiting me today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving--I had a great time up at my best friends parents. These girls are like sisters to me. I love being with them and spending time with them and their children. We played a lot of games, and had a great time fellowshipping with one another. Thanks O's!

Bananagrams!

Sisters!

Thankful for:
-family who I am missing more than ever right now
-friends who have come alongside me when I needed it most
-health-and a PT who is working on me for free-PTL
-being jobless.....it's so hard, and yet God has given me amazing opportunities that I would not be able to do if I was working. (for the record-I DO want a job!)
-children that I can love on
-waiting...another very hard thing, but it has taught me a lot lately. I have complete peace at the moment concerning Africa and the plans to get back there.
-two bible studies that I am involved in, and the people in them who encourage and pray for me.
-Panera :) (mmm-love that place!)
-my Awana girls, and the ways they brighten my time with them
-the amazing privilege to be a child of the King!
-music that uplifts me on so many occassions/singing with the WT
-my car, even though it's dilapidated and almost as old as me-it gets me to and fro! :)
-My God-who has blessed me above and beyond, and who guides and directs my life in His hand.

How was your Thanksgiving, and what are you thankful for today?

more.than.ever.

I know God, that you work in us through trials and hardships....but seriously? I don't understand it sometimes....even as much as I want to. The last couple weeks have been difficult and challenging for me and so many people I am close to. But through it all....I've had to rely on You. more.than.ever. I'm blessed and privileged to have a personal relationship with You-my Creator and Redeemer because you died on the cross for me and forgave me of all my sins. You live within me. I'm not perfect. I never will be until I reach eternity with You. But I know You love me, and that You will never leave me. And I am forever grateful. May I be the servant you want me to be. May I encourage, love, and serve in a way you would want me to. Give me opportunities to live you out this coming week. You are my all. You are my constant through the changes. Thank you for the trials.

The girlies!

I can't express how much I love these girls....I was lookin' back today at how much they have grown. Wow-brings back so many amazing memories! :)

Halloween!

I arrived at the Grady's house tonight to go trick-or-treating. What a blast!

Me with the girls-Lexi, Victoria, Emily,

Addison, and Sofia

A hobo, Eskimo, and Vampire-Love them!

The Grady family! (Chuck was scary!)

These are the two I got assigned to. I loved every moment of being with them and sharing in their excitement going from house to house. We hit every home in the neighborhood. :)

So this was my evening. Fun times! What did you do tonight?

Photo Shoot

Sneak peak-Smith Family















We tried! ;)













Love this one! :)



Thanks for letting me use one of my passions today! I enjoyed photographing your family!

Splendor from Above

Are you ever overcome with love for someone or something? I was totally overcome by my God tonight, and the beauty He displayed in the sky. The tears were flowing, and the song I was listening to was "You are My God" by Nicol Sponberg. These were the words at that moment.

You are my God
Here in the darkness, in the night
You have never left my side
You are my God
Even when I can't see Your face
I know I'm held in Your embrace
You are my God

So thankful to be a child of His. Thank you for painting the sky and showing your brilliance tonight in a visible way. I LOVE you!

Oh, and thanks for being creative too God. I found this guy in the house yesterday, and had a photo shoot with him. Look at those eyes! Marvelous and so cool!

Givin' it to Him

Just got done talking to my dear friend. She was awoken at 3:30 in the morning because the dog was barking. There were 2 robbers running down the street. My heart was heavy for her. I know her struggles with the fear. She was going straight to her "Holy place" to meet with Jesus. And that's why I love her.

God, protect her and her family tonight. Keep her close and in your embrace, and allow her to feel your presence so very closely. We love you for who you are and what you do in our lives. May we glorify you in everything we do.
Amen.

I.don't.know.

So I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now about getting back to Africa. I firmly believe God wants me there....it's just the getting there that I'm freaked out about. And I shouldn't be....God has ALWAYS provided the support for me to serve Him. But this is new territory. I've never had to raise monthly support...it's been one-time gifts. I've never had to go beyond my church. I've never had to have outgoing expenses. I've never.....

I don't know. Those 3 words are the words that everyone is getting from me when they ask anything about Africa. I don't know what this is gonna look like. I don't know everything that I'll be doing. I don't know how I'm going to raise my support in 2 months. I don't know, but He does. And that is what I have to cling to, even when I don't know if I fully believe it. Doubt enters in....I feel a bit like Peter walkin' on that water getting out of the comfort and security of that boat. I gotta trust. I just have to. And if God wants me there in January, then He is gonna make it happen. And if not? Well, let's just pray about that together.....ok?! :


Sara, her husband, and 2 (and one on the way) kids serve in Italy. We have had our missions conference at my home church this week, and it's been an incredible blessing to hear from and meet with our missionaries. What an encouragement they have been to me.

Sooner than expected (:

I feel life is at a standstill. I don't have a job, and I don't like the feeling of doing nothing. I mean, I am doing....just not like I would be with a normal job. I'm involved in 2 Bible studies, working in Awana, on the Worship Team, and visiting a dear friend when possible with a brain tumor. But my heart is in Africa.
I went out to TEAM last week to figure out plans for Africa. The information I recieved was a little dis-heartening. Please pray...I'm waiting for information from TEAM S. Africa regarding some issues. As soon as I get that info, I can get my letters going. Because of the new circumstances, instead of waiting to go back until later next year, I desire to get back asap. Yep-As Soon As Possible. I have no idea what it will look like. I've never done a time this long, so I need to raise monthly support for the 18-22 months that I will be there. It's a little scary to think about...I'm not gonna lie. But I have to trust God though this, knowing that if He wants me there, (and I firmly believe He does) that He will make it happen. :) So, pray for me when you think of it-that as I begin sending out letters, the funds will come in quickly. Pray too, for TEAM S. Africa and Swaziland as there are transitions that will be happening in the next couple years. Life won't be too still these next couple weeks....and I'm lookin' forward to that!

Chi-town

My week (and a little more) started at my friend Andrea's apartment. I spent the weekend with her, and we went downtown last Saturday. I still had some money from my Aunt and Uncle from my birthday, so we went and saw "The Lion King!" Pretty amazing. Wow-the costuming is out of this world! Surely made me miss Africa.Fun times!

This week I have been living in the Atrium with this family. Tad and Stephanie Davis our my amazing friends from Moody whom I love! Madelynn and Judah are precious, and I love spending time with them!

Steph and I enjoyed some of the cupcakes Tad was given at work from More.I had the privilege of speaking to the Women's Concert Choir for a few minutes, and showing my video on Africa to those who could stay. It was delightful, even for the short time we had. It was great meeting the new girls, and I'm excited for them as they serve the Lord-all 54 of them! XT is the conductor of WCC, and a good friend. We went to Panang, and had Bubble tea! :) Yum!

This is Joelle. We met on facebook this Summer, and we live in the same area in MI. She currently attends Moody, and we share a love of Africa. She's currenlty the founder of The Save Africa project. Check this out! http://www.saveafricaproject.org/

Amanda! I randomly ran into her on the sidewalk outside Moody, and am so glad I did. We never really did know each other, but we follow each others blogs. She goes back to India on Tuesday to go back to her boys at the orphanage! You can see what she does here. http://amandalehman.blogspot.com/

This would be the yummy salad from Yolk that Dr. Park and I enjoyed at our lunch date the other day. It was delicious!

My friend Joy! Joyful has been a friend for a few years. We met in Women's Choir, and always make a point to try and see each other when I'm in town. She works at Moody.

I was also able to enjoy precious time with Kelli Worrall, Pam MacRae, Mr. Clark, and Dr. Lightbody. So thankful for godly professors who take time to meet and pray with me!

I took some family pics for these special friends, as they move to Oklahoma in a couple months after living several years in Chicago. I'm really gonna miss spending time with them when I come to my favorite city. Guess Oklahoma will be calling my name! :)

We went to Goebberts Farm today, and has a blast!

We saw all of the animals, which even included these guys!

We rode the animals......
We fed the animals......

We even got to be the animals!

We also got to enjoy these yummy fall treats-cinnamon sugar donuts!
We ended the day with a find from the thrift store. I went to Salvation Army the other day, and found this chalk for 2 bucks. What a hit! Tad traced Momes, and she traced me! :)Tonight I am doing the overnight thing as Steph is out at the wedding of our friend Alison, which I'll attend tomorrow, and Tad is working overnight. Hopefully Judah will only get up once for a feeding....we'll see! Have a great weekend!