Matthew 6

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one
of these. If that is how God clothes the grasses of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you- you of little faith? So do not sorry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

                               

take me back

I can't even begin to describe our trip to Haiti. Our days were spent loving on the children, going out and praying in the tent cities and hospital, helping the Angel Wings team who are building a medical clinic, and resting in the presence of God. I returned home from the trip having learned so much about faith. I was always planning my future and now I am praying my future. The Lord did so much in my heart while I was there. I wish I was still there now, but I know he has a reason for me to be home. Each and every thing we did in Haiti was completely ordained by the Lord. You could see his hand on everything. So I know the timing of the trip was also ordained. He has a plan and purpose for me to be back in Alabama, back at school and I am going to grab hold of all he has to offer here. Pictures will describe best the joy of serving, beauty of the children, and how amazing our team was.

Heading off!

beauty

 Haitian church

 captivating

a day at the beach

gurlzzz

in the tent city

 precious little girl

joy

London Bridge of course

 sweet girls

tickle tickle

my two main men

Oli

 go team

the streets of Jacmel

the sweetest

Franz

giving away shoes

on our way to the waterfall

purdy water

May every place we set our foot be blessed. May every person we met be blessed. May our prayers be fruitful. May the God of love and peace cover Haiti. May His light shine before all. Glory to God. For He is always faithful.

more than myself

I cannot believe it is already March. 

I am going to HAITI in 3 days. I can hardly believe it. I am above and beyond excited and expectant for all the Lord is going to do on this trip. I haven't been in the "missions setting" since Africa about 3 years ago. I've been so challenged to live a "missions lifestyle". To see each and every day, right here where I am, as my mission field. Of course that sounds cheesy and you've heard it said. But really. Whether I'm walking to class or sitting in class... there are so many people who need to hear that Jesus loves them. I take that secret for granted. And I want to share it with the world- and news flash, the world consists of the girl who sits next to me in English. Missions mindset now. Sounds pretty straight forward, but I've realized I need the boldness, favor, and grace of God to really live it out. I know this mission trip will realign my purpose and focus of reaching God's people and I cannot wait for my eyes to be opened to the heart of the Father. I can't wait to share our team's stories.

As of life right now, I am digging into 1 Corinthians. I'm really carrying the Lord's word throughout my day and doing exactly what Joshua 1:8 says: "Keep the Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Meditating on the Lord's word has realigned my focus and aided my memorization of scripture so that I can do what Ephesians 6:10-11 says: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." I'm praying that I will fall more in love with the Lord each day. 

Reveal yourself to your daughter. Open up my eyes to see You, God. 

I am blessed to serve with the amazing SWITCH team at Highland's Tuscaloosa. I have never been more encouraged with this ministry than these past two weeks. Again, I'm reading through 1 Corinthians and was unexpectedly encouraged this morning. I'll share 1 Corinthians 3:6-9--

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who water is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building." 

As leaders, we have the responsibility to pray and share the love of Christ, but ultimately He makes it flourish. He sees our work and we will be rewarded for our dedication to this ministry- which is honestly just a bonus! Because ministry is joy and life. While, yes, it can be frustrating... how can you not be encouraged after reading those verses? Knowing that it really is all in the Lord's hands. He will make it grow in His time. And His time never seems appropriate to us. But that's why He's God and we're not. Trusting that He'll make it grow. And we'll be faithful to the call... planting the seeds and watering.

Jesus, open up the eyes of this generation. Draw them to the loving kindness of the Father. Let your children be a light for the lost. Wake us up from our slumber. 

overflow of thoughts

Today, I'm reminded to slow down and capture each moment. To truly live in the moment. To love a lot... to simply text amazing friends and not only pour out praises on them but remind myself what a blessing they are. I'm thankful for time to read (while turning off season 8 of One Tree Hill was embarrassingly difficult). I'm thankful for John Maxwell's "Winning With People" that is bringing so much perspective. Slowing down. Not wasting a second. These cliche sayings are ringing so true. I get to think, be thankful, learn, live, breathe. I rest in the tranquility. And now, I rest in the words of my Father as I read over and over Romans 8, which captured my attention this morning. I overflow in thankfulness for the amazing plan of the Father. That His Spirit has been given to me. That I'm a part of His plan. That I have been redeemed and He's allowed me to be a vessel of redemption. So why wait? Why waste time? Why not explode with the love of Jesus? Why hold on to bitterness and pain? Why not lay it all down at His feet? Why hold onto something so dearly that has already been restored? I lay it all down, Lord. I overflow with you. I take advantage of each second of my day to glorify you! Yes, God. All of me for all of you.

Tribute to 2011

Oh it's been months. January has flown by. We are on day 20 of 21 days of prayer and fasting. You'd think these three weeks would be the longest ever, but I can hardly believe it is almost February. Let's begin with highlights of 2011(photo version of course)...

Mama and I went to Key West

I participated in Highland's 2:52 internship and it was ah-mazing.
Such an awesome time growing in the Lord and beginning wonderful friendships!

I spent Spring Break in Destin, Florida

I began serving with Switch, Highlands student ministry

The tornado hit Tuscaloosa April 27, 2011

I enjoyed the beauty of the Lord is the midst of it

And Highlands fought back. I am so blessed to be 

surrounded by so many servants of Christ. 

Ow owww, the beginning of it all

Summer lake trip with some sweet friends

Sarah Clemson turned 14. I can hardly believe it.

I worked at JH Ranch for the 2nd summer in a row!

And had so much fun in the rodeo

AND met amazing new friends

I turned 19.

Hit the beach before school started back

Attended plentyyy of Alabama games. 14 National Championships.

Enjoyed so much fellowship

Prayed and cried for Switch

Spent time with this amazing family

Matt turned 21!

Found a new obsession for Ben Rector

Austin ran his last cross country race

Plenty of food and fun on Thanksgiving

I was baptized!! Hallelujah!

Katie turned 21!

Got tacky with some Switch leaders

We finally have a new family photo after who knows how long! 

Christmas Eve with the Duckworth's

Annual Duckworth grandkid photo

And the annual Kaufman grandkid photo

So blessed.

Spent time with high school best friends

Dressed all fancy for the Deb ball

He dresses up good. We danced away 2011.

I am utterly blown away with how incredible 2011 was. So much change in my life all for the glory of God. He brings us from glory to glory so I can only stand in expectation for all He has to offer in 2012! Well here's to the recap of 2011, and here's to 2012! 21 days of prayer and fasting ends tomorrow and I can't wait to share all the Lord has done in just 3 weeks. Oh, he is faithful! How great is our God?