2011 In Retrospect

On this day of the year, I always like to take time and look back at what all happened in my life over the past year.  It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed and we are now standing in the doorway of a new one...but we are and I now reflect on my year....THIS IS A LONG POST...BEWARE :)

School - Graduate School Edition

It's hard to believe that one year ago I graduated from college.  2011 began my new path as a college graduate, but did that mean I had given up on any more schooling....who me?? No way, José!  :)  January 2011 began my first adventure into the world of grad school!  If you remember my ramblings from last year, I have felt God's call to delve deeper into my quest of educating children, but desired to do so from a Christian education perspective.  I enrolled in Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary's online program, originally seeking their Master of Arts in Children's Ministry.  Over the course of a year, I have definitely learned A LOT!  From Theology classes to Baptist History class to an Intro to Missions to Discipleship teaching classes....the knowledge I have gained as a result of grad school has been so helpful and useful.  Seminary has also helped deepen my relationship with God as I have grown closer to Him through the insights, knowledge, and encouragement from professors and classmates that I have gained from my online classes. I had plans to do school online in the Spring of 2011 and move to Lynchburg to complete the program on campus in the Fall of 2011. 

**Side-note** A lot of people have asked me if online school is hard.  Here's my answer: It's challenging. You have to take into account the fact that it is grad school and it is online.  Grad school, work-wise, is a definite step up from college...like a ton of reading and writing papers.  I remember the first couple of weeks I was really bogged down in how much I had to read.  Then my dad reminded me and said, "Don't forget, this is GRADUATE school."  Oh, yeah.  I forgot.  Since then I've really been able to learn how to speed read and get assignments done, so it hasn't been too bad.  Also, thankfully, I've been blessed with great English teachers over the years who gave me guidance in writing and so writing papers hasn't been as hard for me as I feel that it might have been for some of my classmates.  Now, granted, I have been doing the "accelerated version" of grad school, which I wouldn't recommend for someone who has a full-time job.  "Accelerated" means that I am taking 4 classes a semester.  Most people online just take 2.  Thankfully, my job(s) have been flexible with my schedule and allowed me to be on this accelerated schedule.  I take 2 classes for 8 weeks and then take another 2 classes for the last 8 weeks. 

Personally, I like the online atmosphere.  Some people need that one-on-one interaction with people, but I am thankful that I am able to learn both ways.  Online school allows me to work on my own timetable and Liberty Online really has it down with how to run online classes.  The professors are encouraging and are really flexible with their students.  It's crazy, though, to think of your classmates being all over the world.  I know in my first semester, I had a classmate who was deployed overseas!!  This past semester, one of my professors taught us while he was on a mission trip to the Ivory Coast.  ***Side-note is completed*** :)

At the beginning of the Summer of 2011, I found out that the school eliminated the Children's Ministry program due to lack of interest.  I must admit, I was heartbroken and downtrodden.  I even thought about just quitting and finding a job.  But God reminded me of Paul's words in Philippians 3:14 - "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  God was like, "Ummm....Allison...giving up is not in your nature...press on...for me."  When God speaks, you listen...so I did, and I decided to change my major to a Master of Arts in Discipleship Ministries.  The school has been gracious enough to let me have a concentration in Children's Ministry classes (the classes weren't eliminated, just the degree program)...and for that I am grateful.  I know that in all things God works together for the good so I know all this happened for a reason, and am excited to see God provide a job in 2012 that allows me to use what I have learned in college and grad school.  I will graduate with my Masters of Arts in Discipleship Ministries in May of 2012...and I am walking at Liberty's graduation in Lynchburg...with a billion other people...I'm really excited :)

Work

So this year I was asked to be the part-time graphic designer and multimedia coordinator at my church.  Basically, it was everything I did volunteer-wise before plus being in charge of the other printed publications of the church (like the bulletin and newsletter).  I love this job and it has been very rewarding and helpful in my desire to work with church ministries in the future.  Work has provided a lot of exciting experiences and honors for me this year.  I really have enjoyed serving my church in this capacity.  It has also been great getting back into the graphic design groove.  I missed that in 2010 and have enjoyed being able to use my creative side again :)  I know this job isn't a forever job for me, but I have learned a lot and have gotten to be involved with some pretty awesome things this year as a result of my job.  The church has been very gracious to work with my school schedule and I have been able to do school-work and do my job in a timely and efficient manner. 

One of the newsletters I designed this year...these were a couple of my favorite :)

I also continued working for Megan's Corner Catering this year.  As always, it is a blast! :)  Catering experiences are definitely never boring!  I got to be a part of events like huge dinners, weddings, parties, food shows, and Megan's Corner's 10th Anniversary celebration!  It was definitely a big & FUN year.  Megan's Corner opened a new avenue of business this year as they now run the Campus Cafe at the local community college (Walter's State).  The cafe is open to everyone, students and the public.  The food is awesome and there are a variety of food choices from - burgers to salads to daily specials to yumm-o desserts.  I got the chance to help out during the first week and I really enjoyed it.  If you live in Morristown, you should definitely check the Campus Cafe out!

The girl kneeling with the white shirt, that's me!!  We were getting ready for the 10th Anniversary party!

Church

My church has most definitely, for-sure, totally gone under a dramatic physical transformation this year.  We broke ground for our new Children's building in September and demolished our 1913 building just this past Monday.  Although I know it's hard to let go of something so precious to so many people, I think this opens up great potential and new possibilities for First Baptist and I look forward to the future of this church.  The children's building opens up so many doors for us to reach kids for Christ's kingdom...and that's something I definitely love :)  To think that by this time next year we will have a new children's building is so exciting!

I got to be involved with a new ministry this year: Takin' It to the Streets.  It's like a backyard Bible club.  Lauren & I were the music leaders for the month of October.  We also got to do music for the most recent Christmas party.  We had a lot of fun getting to know the kids and teaching them about Jesus through music.  I think I wrote a blog post about the importance of music...it's worth re-reading.  

The AWESOME kids that attended our backyard Bible club...Love 'em! :)

I continued this year as Children's Missions Leader for the church...this also brought on some new responsibilities too.  One responsibility involved teaching missions to the AWANA's once a month..this is always fun and enjoy coming up with creative lessons and ways to teach them about different missions opportunities (global and national).  This year, I got to be the VBS Missions leader for the church...I was also the VBS Mission's Associational Leader, too.  Teaching VBS Missions was so much fun this year.  The theme really made it easy to come up with missions educational opportunities for the kids.  We got to help our local food pantry and kitchen and we got to meet missionaries (via SKYPE) that were discussed in the VBS literature.  It was pretty awesome!  

The awesome FBC Morristown VBS team :) 

Secondly, I was the Children in Action Missions leader for the summer.  This was a fun aspect of my summer as I got to have a whole hour with the kids and delve deeper into missions education with them.  I let the kids come up with a missions project for the summer and they came up with collecting stuffed animals for children who are in disasters.  We collected 970 stuffed animals!!! I certainly did not expect that number when we started out.  First Baptist is definitely a giving church.  The kids learned a lot from this missions project and it was a success.  If I could find a job where I could incorporate my love for children and missions, I would be a very happy person! :)  Just seeing the kids do missions projects and hearing them tell me how they can't wait to be missionaries one day just warms my heart and lets me know how important it is that they continue being educated about missions.

Family

I guess the biggest family news this year is that my mom graduated from the LPN program!  A few weeks after she took and passed her nursing exam, she got a job at a local day facility for adults.  It's not a nursing home, but more like a place where families can drop off their loved ones who have medical issues while they go to work or run errands.  It's a 9 to 5 job and she LOVES it!  We are so happy!  God has definitely blessed her with a great job and we are so thankful for his provisions in guiding her through nursing school (even with a broken foot at the beginning of 2011!!) :)  My dad is as busy as ever working at the church - I am so proud of the work he does here.  My grandpa is now at a new assisted living facility in town.  He was in a nursing home at the beginning of this year and there were a couple of times we didn't think he was even going to make it, but God provided and he is still with us doing quite well...at 94! :)  Lauren is a JUNIOR in high school...that doesn't even seem right...and is loving life!  Meredith is a junior at Liberty University majoring in accounting and minoring in missions...she has a pretty cool 2012 planned...but I won't steal her thunder...be on the look-out, though! :)

Fun Adventures

Although I wanted to go to Hong Kong again this past summer, it just wasn't in God's Will for me to do so this year.  I did however, have the opportunity to go to Phoenix & Washington, D.C.

The Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting was held in Phoenix this year.  For my third year in a row, I was asked to be a page by the recording secretary of the SBC.  I flew to Phoenix by myself and had a fantastic experience.  I continued my job as the stage and copier page.  I really didn't think this year would be very eventful...but I was wrong!  I ran a lot and made a ton of copies of motions for the lawyers, press, and platform...and at one point had to use the recording secretary's cell phone to get a hold of someone who had made a motion.  There was a lot more business this year than I think people thought there would be (and that's always the **fun** part) :) .  I got to meet so many people and was definitely able to network this year!  It was also nice to be on my own. :)  Next year the convention is in New Orleans...and I've been informed that it will probably be my last year :(  (***crying uncontrollably***)  The pages are really only supposed to be upper high-school, college-aged students...and considering I am in grad school, I'm kind-of considered "old." (ouch...)  When the page coordinator found out I would be 25 next year he said, "Maybe we should think about you training your replacement next year...." (In my head I went...."NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!")  I guess  I will be forced into page retirement in 2012...hopefully, I will be able to continue serving in some capacity within the SBC Annual Meetings; I can't imagine not serving my convention! :)

Your 2011 SBC pages with the recording secretary and his wife (whom I worked with as a part of my job)

My thoughts on Phoenix...beautiful, clean, well-kept city...and hot.  :)

My dad had a conference in DC in over the 4th of July, so my sisters and I accompanied him.  My mom couldn't go because of school, but we had a great time seeing the sights.  Being there on the 4th of July holiday was pretty cool too.  It's kind of like being in NYC on New Year's....crowded and historic.  I'm glad we had that experience.  We stayed at the Gaylord National Harbor.  Look it up on Google...it is gorgeous!  National Harbor is like its own little oasis.  It was fun to walk the streets and see the sights.

My dad, sisters, & me in Washington DC in front of the capitol (on the roof of the Newseum)

My thoughts on DC (IN JULY)...historic, crowded...and hot :)

***Side-note: We also, as a family, went and visited the grave of famous Southern Baptist missionary, Lottie Moon, this fall.  I wrote a 19 pg. research paper on this wonderful woman and when I turned it in, we just happened to be visiting Meredith in Lynchburg and the grave was only an hour away from Lynchburg.  Because I am a Southern Baptist Convention "crazy-person"...I was really excited to have this opportunity.  There I said it.  ***Side-note completed.****

The grave of Lottie Moon

Prayer

I do have some prayer requests for this coming year.  First of all, pray for God's direction in my life, especially in the form of a job.  I really have a heart for children.  I really have a heart for missions.  And I really have a heart for ministry.  I would love to combine them all together...but I know those kinds of jobs are few and far between.  God's in control, though...that I know.  Secondly, pray for God to give me peace in whatever and wherever He leads me.  His sweet peace is so comforting and really helps me to know that I'm in His Will and doing what He wants me to do.  Thirdly, pray for the opportunity for me to go on another mission trip next summer - my heart-city of Hong Kong would be awesome, but I am open to wherever God leads. I'm also going to copy something from last year that I wrote, but I still hold true as a prayer request: "All I want to do with my life is be a servant to the King and live with that servant’s heart…pray that God will give me opportunities this year to continue serving Him.  I value your prayers and your friendship.  Thank you in advance for them."

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Good grief, if you are still reading this...I can't believe it!  I can't even believe I've set here for almost 2 hours writing this.  I know, I'm nuts...but I really do enjoy doing this.  It makes me very grateful for all God's done for me over the course of the year.  I know I have read my 2010 retrospective throughout 2011 and am sure I will read the 2011 retrospective throughout 2012.

Last year, I encapsulated 2010 with one-word...TRUST.  I've definitely carried what I learned in 2010 with me throughout this year.  If I had to encapsulate 2011 with a word (ok..really this is a phrase...) it would be GOD'S PRESENCE.  Is that weird?  You know Jesus promised us this in Matthew 28:20, "I will be with you always..."  I choose this phrase because I have felt God's presence this year in my life through what I have learned in grad school, experiences He's brought me through in 2011, and the fact that I've grown closer to Him and been able to be in and feel His presence (PS...this sentence is far from grammatically correct, but I don't know how else to word it).

I think I already know what word will encapsulate 2012 - CHANGE.  I fully expect 2012 to be a year of change for me.  I AM GOING TO GET A REAL-PERSON'S JOB in 2012.  Beginning in May, there will be no more school to tie me down...for now :).  I don't have any idea what this "real-person's job" will be.  I am open to wherever God leads.  He knows the desires of my heart, and I am going to trust (ooohhhh...2010 word!!) Him to provide the path and way He wants me to go.  I am not only open to do whatever God calls me to do, but I am also open to wherever God leads me.  I may even change where I live in 2012...it's all in God's Will.  It's like the song says, "Wherever He leads, I'll go."  I especially like the 4th verse of this song a lot:

"My heart, my life, my all I bring to Christ who loves me so;

He is my Master, Lord, and King, Wherever He leads I'll go.

Wherever He leads, I'll go; Wherever He leads I'll go.

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go."

"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 -

Boxes of Love

It’s just a simple box…that at one time held a pair of shoes.  However, someone has taken time and money and put a lot of love into this simple shoebox.  Filled with candy, dolls, stuffed animals, crayons, coloring books, hand-made hats, scarves, and so much more…as you see each box, you become overwhelmed at the love that has been given.

I just got back with a group from my church from the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center in Boone, NC.  This was about my third or fourth time to do this...and I had a blast!  The purpose of the processing center is to look through the box to 1) take out the $7 donation for Samaritan’s Purse to process and 2) make sure that there isn’t anything inappropriate or dangerous in the boxes.  Now inappropriate doesn’t always mean that it’s something unsuitable for children, it just means that certain items (liquids, aerosol cans, shampoos) can’t be shipped overseas out of fear that the box will be ruined or destroyed if these items leaked/exploded.  Once these boxes have been looked over, they are securely taped, placed in appropriate boxes (as it pertains to gender & age group) and then they are sent off! 

My job was to look through shoeboxes for inappropriate items.  Over the course of 5 hours I found lots of liquids, food (cookies/chips), chocolate, fake money, and even some war-related items (GI-Joe’s).  Although it was difficult to take these out because I knew people had put it in there for a special child, I knew that it was important that these items come out so that the box & child could be safe.  The war-related items and money could be detrimental to a child who lived in a war-torn country.  It was so sweet to see some of the items that people put in a box.  You could tell that people had definitely put lots of thought into their shoebox.  From cards and letters to handmade items to sweet stuffed animals to special-designed boxes, my heart was so happy to know that I was the last person to touch these items before a child received them.

Some of the boxes we processed hardly had anything in them.  Initially you think, “How could someone send this off when there is hardly anything in there?”  Then I got to thinking…these items might have been all that person could afford or all they had to put in their box of love.  That thought kind of humbles you because you realize that how these people, who may not have very much themselves, want to help create smiles on the faces of children around the world, too.

The shoeboxes we processed on this day were going to Sudan.  Knowing how tumultuous life is in that country made me even more excited that I was getting to be a part of changing the life of children living in that country.  One of my favorite parts of the experience was getting to pray over the boxes.  The processing center stops every so often to encourage the volunteers and pray over the shoeboxes.  As you prayed, the processing center managers encouraged you to reach out and touch a shoebox or big carton.  I’ll tell you, I had tears in my each time we prayed for these boxes. 

Don’t take this mission opportunity for granted each year.  Your special act results in changing the life of a child halfway around the world.  When the children receive this box, they not only get all the gifts in the box, but they also get a copy of the gospel message written in their language.  How important it is for you to do this mission project each year!  Your act of love results in children hearing the greatest act of love that anyone has ever given.  I can’t imagine a better Christmas present than that!

Child in Sudan receiving a shoebox & gospel message

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35

Long-Awaited Update....with a little Lottie Info....

So it’s been a while since I last posted something on this blog…go ahead, tell me, I’m a slacker.  I know J.  Really I must tell you that I have been really busy as of late with work and school.  Last week I finished my first 2 classes of my second semester with Liberty University Seminary.  1/2 way to graduation!  Hooray!  

I took Evangelism and Baptist History and really learned A LOT in both classes.  The Baptist history class was really interesting as I learned a lot about how the Baptist heritage.  I’m a self-proclaimed Southern Baptist Convention “psycho” and got to learn how my convention began, the early days, etc.  One thing I had to do for this class was write a 20 pg. research paper about a Baptist person or event.  I chose to write about Lottie Moon (one of the first single SBC women missionaries).  It was really interesting to learn a lot about her.  I’m such a psycho that when we went to visit my sister on Liberty’s campus in Virginia, me & the fam went to visit Lottie Moon’s grave!  Since we’ve been back I have told people, “you know you are a die-hard Southern Baptist when you travel an hour to see the grave of Lottie Moon!”  I think most have agreed with that statement….oh, well…what can I say?  I’m a proud Southern Baptist! J

Some things you might be interested to know about Lottie Moon:

• Lottie became a Christian at age 18…although she grew up in a Christian home, she made fun of Christians for most of her childhood
• Young Lottie was a prankster…at boarding school on April Fool’s day, she stuffed pillows & blankets in the bell tower so that it wouldn’t ring, causing everyone to wake up late!
• She had a cousin named Lottie who was a spy for the Confederates during the Civil War.  This Lottie was to be married to a man and when they got to the altar & the preacher asked her if she would take the man to be her husband, she said, “No siree, I do not!”  Confident not to get a rejection, the next guy who married her, walked her down the aisle with a gun to her back forcing her to go through with the vows
• The real Lottie Moon was known as the “cookie lady” by using cookies to connect with the Chinese people.  At first the Chinese people thought that she was trying to poison them, but after one brave person tried it & didn’t die, they quickly began to trust her.
• Her sister Edmonia was the first of the family to become a missionary to China…when she & Lottie were missionaries together in China, Edmonia became very sick, causing her to have to go back to the States in order to get healthy.  She never returned to China.  Over the course of Lottie’s ministry to China, she & Edmonia would correspond back and forth.  Towards the end of Lottie’s life, she received a letter from her nephew telling her that Edmonia had killed herself perhaps from the sadness of not having what Lottie had…no one is sure.  This was shocking to me!
•  Lottie died on an American ship docked in Japan.  Japanese law would not let the ship take a body across the ocean, so Lottie was cremated, placed in a box & taken to the gravesite that we visited.

More info than you wanted to know, I’m sure! Ha ha…well now you can say that you know!

I’ve had a nice week-long break & gearing up for my next set of classes…Ministry of Teaching & World Missions.  I think these will be pretty interesting.

The past month I have gotten the chance to be involved with my church’s mobile bus ministry – “Takin’ It to the Streets.”  It’s basically a Backyard Bible Club & me & my sister have been the music leaders.  It has been fun getting to build relationships with the kids and minister to them.  They are so sweet & I love being a part of this ministry!

Well, that’s what’s been going on the past few months.  Hopefully I will do a better job at posting to my blog….I know, you don’t believe me….I said hopefully…. J

I was reminded at a meeting this past week that our Living Christmas Tree is 6 weeks away…YIKES!  That means life’s gonna get crazy soon! J  But I love it!

Who Doesn't Love Music?!?

Updated 4/3/22

Music helped shape my life.  Is that kind of a weird statement?  And I’m not talking about hymns or rock songs or anything like that, but basically Christian children’s music.  My parents say that these were the first songs I enjoyed and began singing to.  It’s strange, but these songs include simple truths set to simple melodies which make them easy to remember and recall. 

When I was little, my dad was the music director at his home church so music was prevalent all around the house.  I’ve got pictures of me singing along to the music he was listening to for church with a fake microphone in my hand. J  Believe it or not, I was a bit of a ham when I was little…okay, so some of you might believe that, ha ha.  My parents would buy children’s musicals and play them in the car.  Those were fun to listen to, my favorite was We Like Sheep.

G.T. and the Halo Express was another favorite.  G.T. and his “heavenly gang” were always available to help kids remember specific Bible verses when they were faced with certain situations.  These musical Bible verses still stick in my head to this day!  Here's a clip of a few:

You can actually purchase albums here: https://www.gthaloexpress.com

Psalty the Singing Songbook was another popular selection around the house and this even had videos to go along with it too!  Along with Psalty was Colby’s Clubhouse.  I loved the Colby Computer videos so much, I named my 2 cats after two of the characters on the video…computer disks Flip and Flop.  Both Psalty & Colby had songs that were centered on certain truths that they were discovering during particular video.  This Psalty video talked about how God has a plan for our lives:  

The full "film" can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBlWHuplK14&t=1231s 

Last, but not least, who could forget the Donut Man?!?!?...and how life without Jesus is like a doughnut - 'cause there's a hole in the middle of your heart!

The connections of these songs to God’s Word and truths were connections that helped shaped me into the person I am today.  For instance, the “We Like Sheep” musical taught me that Jesus is my shepherd who loves and guides me and all other believers.  My favorite G.T. & the Halo Express song was “Matthew 19:14” which was a song quoting the verse verbatim about how Jesus asked for the children to come to Him and not to hinder them; shaping my love for helping to bring children to the presence of Jesus.  So many Psalty and Colby songs talked about love for God, Jesus, and others; the first time I ever heard the song “Make Me a Servant” was from the very first Psalty video – shaping my desire to be God’s life-long servant.

The music and lyrics were catered to my age range, allowing me to better comprehend and understand what I was listening to.  I believe that music + God’s Word & truths is a very important combination that can help everyone (but especially children) praise God and shape their future (obviously if further nurtured…and I know not every child is privy to that). 

Psalm 98:4 says, “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.”  Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  I think that when you combine these verses it gives a very strong case for integrating music and God’s Word/truths together.

Today there aren’t as many characters like Psalty or G.T., but kids can still praise God and learn truths through praise songs (sung on their level, of course), VBS songs (which are always fun to sing AND dance to), and more updated children’s musicals (which they can be involved in at a local church).  YOU, too, can learn truths through music…listen to Christian radio, Christian artists on i-Tunes, or at your local church’s worship service.  If you stop and listen to what is actually being said and reflect on what you are listening to, you will learn some great truths and scriptures about how much God loves and cares for you.  Then, when you begin to learn the song...sing it...to God because He LOVES to listen to His children praise and worship Him...no matter what age or vocal ability! J

I leave you with one of my more **UPDATED** current favorite truths through music!  Although, not a child’s song, this song reminds me that God is my foundation and He won't fail or leave me, no matter what happens.

Living with a Servant's Heart in Phoenix, Arizona!

This has been a truly awesome week!  I have spent this week in hot Phoenix, AZ working at the Southern Baptist Convention as a page.  Being a page means you are responsible for having people fill out papers with their motions/amendments/points of order/etc. and delivering that motion/amendment/etc. to the platform.  The platform page is then responsible for delivering the motion/amendment/etc. to the page coordinator for editing and then to the Recording Secretary of the Convention for permanent record in the Convention books.  The platform page then makes copies of all the motions/amendments/etc. for delivery to The Committee on Order of Business, the press room, the Recording Secretary's office, and various other members of the platform.  I am the platform page and have been for the past 3 years.


I must confess, I love my job as a page.  It is so exciting as I get to experience everything from a birds-eye view.  Many of the other pages man microphones and thus only get to see what goes on at their particular microphone. Their job is not easy by any means!  Sometimes they have some pretty contentious people to deal with!  From where I stand on stage, I am able to see the entire convention floor and whether or not stations are covered, help is needed, or if meeting the page half-way might be better than having them walk the whole way.


According to the Recording Secretary, this year's convention has been historic:
1) It was the smallest convention since WW2
2) It was the first time a resolution was made and passed overwhelmingly (chosen resolutions are normally pre-determined and are not allowed to be discussed); however, the SBC body voted to vote this one through
3) It was the first time a person got up & nominated himself for president of the SBC (he didn't win)


I must admit, for a small convention, I thought it was quite busy.  There was a lot of back & forth among amendments and many questions for many of the convention entities.  But...I wouldn't trade that for the world...it kept me busy & completely engaged.  


All of this is to say...I love the Southern Baptist Convention...I love being a Southern Baptist, I love what the SBC stands for, & I love being able to work for the people who are the face of Southern Baptists.  If I could be a life-long page or a life-long convention worker, I would do it in a heart-beat.  Who knows, maybe I can?!?  


You see, I have dreamed of being able to work for the SBC or one of its entities.  I knew this time around, I had to network & market myself.  I was able to make some contacts and they gave me some great advice & encouragement.  They also said they would keep their ears & eyes open.  Some even offered to be references for me!  That's so affirming & I am so thankful!


Being a page helps me fulfill my life goal of being a servant for Christ & live with a servant's heart.  This week I have adhered to Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. God is the ultimate One that I want to please.  He is the source of my strength & the One I should praise, honor, magnify, & glorify with my life, actions, & service.


I thank you Lord for the gifts you have afforded to me and that you have allowed me to use them to follow you!  You have blessed me immensely this week by providing for me, allowing me to make key contacts, and by reaffirming the call you've placed in my life to serve you.  I desire nothing more than to live my life wholly and fully for you.  You are the One that I praise.  You are the One I adore.  I love you Lord.


A sidenote: for the record, it has been quite hot here in Phoenix!  Today's high was 107.  Arizona heat is dry, however, & so your hair doesn't do wacky things and it doesn't make you (or I guess me) sweat that much.  Phoenix is a very beautiful, clean city & I would love to return to sight-see someday.

Start Spreading the News...I'm Leaving for NYC (at First Baptist Church that is...)

So VBS (Vacation Bible School) starts this coming week.  Yay!  Boys and girls coming together to learn about, sing about, create things about, and run around for JESUS!  I L-U-V it!

VBS growing up for me was so much fun and I looked forward to it every year.  My earliest memories are of attending multiple VBS' at multiple churches each summer.  It was fun to do different themes throughout the summer.  My most favorite VBS' are the ones that I attended in Hong Kong and then the ones I taught in Hong Kong.  They are my favorite because they were the most unconventional.  Hearing the VBS message preached in English & translated in Chinese is definitely not something you'd hear in a normal church in America!

I really like the theme this year - Big Apple Adventure.  I think its one of the first VBS themes that meets kids where they are in life.  I know some probably have a negative look at it because of the negative NY connotations, but the music/atmosphere/look/media is so much more 2011-kid-friendly.  I am praying for this VBS that it will touch many lives.

I am missions director this year.  The missions theme is very local this year which is good.  I am looking forward to highlighting local missions and making the kids aware of what goes on as far as missions goes around my area.  One day we are learning about the ZOE Church in Brazil.  I am excited because I have a friend who is a missionary with the ZOE Church in Brazil; he has agreed to talk with the kids via Skype from Brazil.  I know they will think that is so cool.  Our mission project highlights that "We CAN help the homeless."  Any idea what kids will be bringing in?  Yup...cans...canned foods for our church food pantry & our local food kitchen - The Daily Bread.  It's a missions competition against the boys & girls again so I know it'll be OUT OF CONTROL...which is a tremendously awesome thing!

Later this month, I will be leading music for a Backyard Bible Club VBS...so this won't be the end of my Big Apple Adventure!  Sadly, I will not be going to Hong Kong this year to do VBS, but will be praying for the team that does go as they have a Big "Chinese" Apple Adventure.. :)

I'm sure that if Jesus were on the earth today, he would most definitely promote VBS.  In Matthew 19:14 he said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Lord Jesus, prepare the hearts of those children that come into your Father's house this coming week.  Help them be receptive to your word, seek to find answers to their questions, and find the love that only you can give.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen.

Slow Updater...

Guess I'm not so hot at updating a blog...yeah, sorry 'bout that....so updating you....

School...as always...got to be intensely insane and if I wasn't working, I was reading; if I wasn't reading I was writing a paper; if I wasn't writing a paper, I was sleeping; if I wasn't sleeping I was working...you can see where this is going... :)  SO things just had to give a little.  Thankfully, I made it through and came out of my first 4 grad classes quite well (although writing a 14 pg. research paper about hell...on my birthday...was a little bit of a downer...)  I have an unspoken prayer request concerning school that I would appreciate your prayers on...so thank you in advance for praying.

I've joined a Bible Study that a friend of mine started.  It is for 20-somethings that are out of college and we are studying The Truth Project.  I'm excited to see God move through this Bible Study, we had a good first meeting and I met some new friends.  If anyone out of college and around our age is interested in this, let me know; we'd love to have more join us!!

Work has increased, especially this month.  Work @ First Baptist is going well, I just love designing different things and using my creativity.  Catering work has been insane this May...we've worked our little tails off...but I love catering weddings, especially because each event is completely different and unique.

This summer offers to be a pretty busy one and I hope to update you throughout the summer about my 'ventures :)  I'm sadly not going overseas, it just was too costly this year, and that absolutely breaks my heart, but I know it was God's will for me this year, and am going to build up the funds for next year.

Well...time to gear up...VBS starts next week and I am the missions director...excited to see what God does next week!! :)

I Refuse

So...it's been a little bit since I last posted; life's just been crazy...you know how it goes!  I've grown so much these past 8 weeks in my graduate study courses!  God's opened my eyes and heart to some amazing things.

I heard a song on the radio yesterday and it just resonated in my heart so much.  There are things going on in and around my life that are of great burden to me.  I hate to see so many people hurting and sad.  It's really been frustrating for me to just sit back and let those who God has put in particular capacities take control of the situations because I want to be doing something to help and comfort others.  After a time of just crying out in desperation to God about these hardships in mine and others lives, this song began playing on K-LOVE.  It's called "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson.

This part of the song was my heart at that very moment:
To stand and watch 
The weary and lost 
Cry out for help.
I refuse
To turn my back 
And try and act like all is well.
I refuse
To stay unchanged,
To wait another day,
To die to myself.
I refuse
To make one more excuse. 

Wow.  God spoke to me through these lyrics.  Understandably, I am not in appropriate leadership positions to handle these problems at this point in my life, so I have to let go in the situations that are going on right now and let those that God has placed in these leadership roles take charge.  However, I realized as I listened to this song that, when I am in these same leadership roles very soon (as I get into the job force), I CANNOT sit back and live like everything is going fine.  I have to get out there and make a difference in other's lives.  I can't wait for someone else to do it because chances are there isn't anyone else who even wants to do it.  I could choose not to move, not to care, and just act like everything is hunky-dory, but I REFUSE.  I must impact others lives.  I must reach those in the kingdom to delve deeper into the kingdom while at the same time reach those outside the kingdom for the kingdom.  People get ready, 'cause Jesus is coming...and that's a whole different blog post... :)

Do you ever feel like a song was written just for you?  I sure do right now.  What a great life-song.

Sometimes I, 

I just want to close my eyes

And act like everyone’s alright 

When I know they’re not.

This world needs God

But it’s easier to stand and watch. 

I could pray a prayer and just move on

Like nothing’s wrong.

But I refuse.

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.

I don’t want to say another empty prayer.

Oh, I refuse to

Sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself.

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse.

I can hear the least of these 

Crying out so desperately, 

And I know we are the hands and feet 

Of you, oh God.

So, if you say move,

Then it’s time for me to follow through,

And do what I was made to do.

Show them who you are.

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.

I don’t want to say another empty prayer.

Oh, I refuse to

Sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself.

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse.

To stand and watch 

The weary and lost 

Cry out for help.

I refuse

To turn my back 

And try and act like all is well.

I refuse

To stay unchanged,

To wait another day,

To die to myself.

I refuse

To make one more excuse. 

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.

I don’t want to say another empty prayer.

Oh, I refuse to

Sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself.

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse.

- Josh Wilson