The Unknown

I have spent my entire life in the Tampa Bay area. I grew up in Seminole and went to college in Tampa. Which means, certain things have become the norm and a way of life... like family nearby, Publix, 80 degree Christmases, beach sunsets, snow birds, flip flops almost year round, Pinellas County parks, and much more.

All of that is about to change and I don't know quite how I feel about it.

At the beginning of this year, my husband and I went through training and joined full-time staff with Campus Crusade for Christ's athletic ministry, Athletes in Action. Following training was a season of raising our financial support, as missionaries. During our training, I would have told you how scary that seemed and there didn't appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel. The end of the tunnel, which I have been so eager to reach since February, is Rutgers University in New Jersey! Now, the light is growing in brightness as we are quickly approaching our goal with financial support! Sounds exciting, right?

Well, yes, it is VERY exciting! I cannot wait to begin ministering to student athletes full-time! But, the day to day life change is becoming a reality. My winter's will no longer begin in January, fall will no longer be an extension of summer, grocery shopping will not consist of BOGO deals at Publix, my family won't be just a short drive away, flip flops won't be my year round footwear, snow will be expected (no longer a dream), and people around me will sound different (New Jersey accents!). Again, I am very very excited to step into this next phase... but so much will be changing! I'm actually struggling to grasp it all.

With all of that change and looking ahead to much of the unknown, there are things that will remain the same (whew!). My husband and I will continue to love each other and seek to glorify God as a married couple. My relationships and friendships, although distance will grow, thanks to technology the communication shouldn't! And most importantly, my God will not change. "For I the LORD do not change" 
- Malachi 3:6 I can always count on Him, because He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore! For that, I am so very grateful. I am thrilled to know that there will be consistency in the chaos, and familiarity in the unknown that lies ahead for me. My intimate relationship with God is not in jeopardy because of my location... 

Hallelujah! 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

Refreshment

This past weekend was one of the most refreshing weekends I have had in a long time! Saturday, Tyler and I spent the majority of our afternoon at the park, sprawled out on a handmade quilt. We enjoyed peaceful surroundings, cool fall air, and time together & with the Lord, and good books.

It was rejuvenating for me, to simply be outdoors! But to also get to spend that time with the two loves of my life... my Savior and my husband was simply marvelous. God wooed my heart, as He regularly does through His Word and the book I am currently reading, Gospel by JD Greear. Later that evening, we took out my mom and step-dad for a lovely dinner as a thank you, since they have let us live rent free this year! We spent our time over dinner laughing and making memories as a family. Sunday, was another beautiful day that we enjoyed together doing more "everyday" things, like grocery shopping and movie watching. As I reflect back on this past weekend, I am encouraged by how refreshed I felt. It was a combination of many things.... the weather, the events, and the people. I want to say, I wish every weekend was like that, but if they were, I wouldn't treasure them nearly as much.

How do you spend your weekends? Have you experienced a time of refreshment lately (a day, weekend, week, month)? What refreshes your soul?

"My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." - Isaiah 32:18

Before the Future

Have you ever felt like God ordained opportunities are escaping you? Like, if you don't act now, they may soon be out of reach?

I was catching up with a friend recently and our conversation got me thinking.... she is currently engaged in a group setting that she will soon leave. She sees the importance of grooming others to take over once she's gone, but her time leading is not yet over and she's currently being slightly robbed of her opportunity! My immediate thoughts are, it's because of the eagerness of others that she is being robbed of her leadership opportunities. That eagerness is not all bad, for it is their eagerness that is pushing them to step up and willing to be the future leaders. However, their time is not now, but it will come. While they are all together there is such a unique time of growth and development, for everyone!

Where would you fit into this scenario? Are you being robbed of your leadership opportunities? If this is you, set appropriate boundaries and remember that you still have the chance to lead. In fact, not only do you have the chance to lead the group, you have the chance to lead and teach the future leaders. They need your help! Or, are you not taking the time to learn the ropes from an experienced leader while you have the chance? My advice is to step back and let those who have the experience lead. Learn from their example and allow them to develop you into the leader you're destined to be! Your time will come... your dreams and opportunities are not escaping you. Trust in God's timing and give others the opportunity to lead as well.


"Listen to advice and accept instruction,  that you may gain wisdom in the future." - Proverbs 19:20

Quiet Time

When I first became a Christian, I was introduced to this thing, often referred to as, a "quiet time" -- a time to be still with the Lord. Jesus modeled this "quiet time" while he was here on earth. What happens during this quiet time, or devotional time? Well, there are many options! Keeping a journal of prayers, reading the Bible, praying, worshipping, fasting, reading a Biblically sound book, memorizing Scripture, and/or studying Scripture extensively are some of the possibilities. Whatever connects you to God.

For me, I enjoy journaling. It helps keep me on track and gives me the opportunity to go back and look at how God has answered prayers and grown me. I also enjoy reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture -- either straight from the Word or with the use of devotionals to help guide me. In the background, I often like to play worship music as I spend time with the Lord. Worship music is probably that one thing for me that connects me to God, like nothing else. And I once had a friend suggest differentiating worship music that was Christ centered versus "me" centered. When I'm seeking to align my heart with God's and worship Him, I try to look for the "Cross-centered" music. I will sometimes find myself caught up in song, tears flowing down my cheeks, hands lifted high or face on the floor, in complete awe of the God of the Universe!

Have you had this "quiet time" lately? If not, I challenge you to begin today! What's keeping you from it? What connects you with God? Is it music, reading, praying? God desires to connect with you, daily and deeply. Sit down with Him and enjoy the intimacy!


"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." - Mark 1:35

Jehovah Jireh

Are you waiting expectantly for God to provide? Maybe you're waiting for finances, a relationship, reconciliation, transportation, pregnancy, a job, or healing.

I am currently waiting on God to provide, majorly, in the area of finances. My husband and I are missionaries, currently in the phase of raising our financial support before we report to New Jersey to serve with Athletes in Action. I recently came across this passage in Joel and was brought to a place of remembrance...

"Be glad, people of Zion rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil."
- Joel 2:23-24

God has provided before, in many different ways, for many different needs, and He will provide again. His timing will be perfect, in order to receive the glory He deserves!

Trust Him for your every need. He will show up exactly when is best. God is never late. And because He is Provider, He cannot fail to provide! He is Jehovah Jireh!!

"So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— then I will send rainon your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil." 
- Deuteronomy 11:14

"Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” 
- Hosea 6:3