Many of you may know that I am preparing to leave tomorrow morning for a disaster relief trip to the Dominican Republic in the wake of Hurricane (formerly Tropical Storm) Noel. The area where One Vision International bought land was one of the areas hardest hit by the disaster, and we are going to deliver medicine, clean food and water, and other supplies.
Before we leave, I wanted to let you guys know of an amazing opportunity this Christmas. All of us struggle with what to get for certain people. Some people are easy to buy for, but others leave us wondering what in the world they could possibly want, since they have everything that they need. What if you could buy a gift for that person, and help change the world at the same time?
That's exactly what you can do with the Gift Catalog from One Vision! You can order many different types of gifts with any type of budget. Please browse through the catalog and use this order form to communicate your gift choices with us. It is an amazing opportunity to give a truely unique gift this Christmas. Please let me know if you have any questions!
If you want to sign up for the One Vision mailing list and receive this catalog via mail, please just send me a message with your mailing address! Thanks guys. Please feel free to send these links to anyone you think may be interested!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Results!
Hi everyone!
Well, I have some wonderful news. Ryan is not home, but he will be soon! The judge was fair, sincere, and kind. We got a chance to observe him in several cases before he got to Ryan's, and it was actually a really cool experience. There was one case that made everyone in the courtroom cry. I would love to write about it, but I know a lot of you are anxious to know what happened. Maybe I'll save that for another time.
So basically, they were sentencing Ryan for two different charges from 2002 that have been on hold while he's been locked up in Tennessee. Both charges carry 8-10 month sentences, and the judge back then ruled that they were to be served consecutively, meaning a total of 16-20 months in prison. It is basically unheard of for a judge to overturn another judge's ruling, but that is exactly what happened today. The judge is allowing Ryan to serve the two sentences concurrent with one another, meaning that depending on the amount of time they will credit him from what he served in 2002 and what he's served since he's been there this time, he will only have to serve between three and seven more months. Yea!!! It's been such a happy day.
The officer who was taking Ryan in and out of the court room asked him as he was walking back out into the hallway, "Do you believe in God?" Ryan said, "Yes, sir." And the officer said, "Well, good, because you just witnessed a miracle. I've been in that court room for years, and I have never seen him do what he just did. Never."
Praise God. Thank you for your prayers! Now pray for three months instead of seven. :-)
Well, I have some wonderful news. Ryan is not home, but he will be soon! The judge was fair, sincere, and kind. We got a chance to observe him in several cases before he got to Ryan's, and it was actually a really cool experience. There was one case that made everyone in the courtroom cry. I would love to write about it, but I know a lot of you are anxious to know what happened. Maybe I'll save that for another time.
So basically, they were sentencing Ryan for two different charges from 2002 that have been on hold while he's been locked up in Tennessee. Both charges carry 8-10 month sentences, and the judge back then ruled that they were to be served consecutively, meaning a total of 16-20 months in prison. It is basically unheard of for a judge to overturn another judge's ruling, but that is exactly what happened today. The judge is allowing Ryan to serve the two sentences concurrent with one another, meaning that depending on the amount of time they will credit him from what he served in 2002 and what he's served since he's been there this time, he will only have to serve between three and seven more months. Yea!!! It's been such a happy day.
The officer who was taking Ryan in and out of the court room asked him as he was walking back out into the hallway, "Do you believe in God?" Ryan said, "Yes, sir." And the officer said, "Well, good, because you just witnessed a miracle. I've been in that court room for years, and I have never seen him do what he just did. Never."
Praise God. Thank you for your prayers! Now pray for three months instead of seven. :-)
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Ryan's Court Date.
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to ask a quick favor. Most of you know Ryan, or at least know of him. Tomorrow (Monday), he is going up before a judge in North Carolina to find out if he will be released and paroled to Tennessee, or if he will have to do up to a year and a half more time there. He has been locked up since September 2003.
Please be praying for him, and that the judge will allow him to come home. It's not likely, but anything is possible at this point. Most of all, please be praying that we will all be at peace with whatever happens. God's timing is always perfect, even when we don't understand it (or like it very much ).
I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for praying.
I just wanted to ask a quick favor. Most of you know Ryan, or at least know of him. Tomorrow (Monday), he is going up before a judge in North Carolina to find out if he will be released and paroled to Tennessee, or if he will have to do up to a year and a half more time there. He has been locked up since September 2003.
Please be praying for him, and that the judge will allow him to come home. It's not likely, but anything is possible at this point. Most of all, please be praying that we will all be at peace with whatever happens. God's timing is always perfect, even when we don't understand it (or like it very much ).
I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for praying.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Embracing Accusation.
My friend Bryan let me listen to a song a few weeks ago called "Embracing Accusation" by Shane & Shane. As he shared its meaning with me, I knew that it was a profound song. And I listened to it once or twice. Today, I listened to it again. And this time, I really listened. I couldn't suppress my tears or my smile as I listened to these powerful words. So of course, I wanted to share it with you guys.
I will try and give you a general overview. The Bible calls Satan the "father of lies," because he does everything he can to draw us away from God. This song in particular is talking about how Satan tries to weigh us down under the guilt of our sin by reminding us how worthless we are and crippling us with self deprication when we fail. But there is truth in this lie. We are unworthy. We have failed. But here's the good news - the part that Satan leaves out: there is freedom in Christ. Jesus has taken our place and offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to cover the cost of our sins. God is not a God of guilt. He does not want us to live in shame. He desires that we live in the abiding joy that his grace and mercy bring.
Anyway, the song is on my page. So turn your speakers up, close your eyes (or read along with the lyrics below), and enjoy. I hope it means as much to you as it did to me. Thanks for sharing it, Bryan.
the father of lies
coming to steal, kill, and destroy
all my hopes of being good enough
I hear him saying cursed are the ones
who can't abide
he's right
alleluia he's right
the devil is preaching
the song of the redeemed
that I am cursed and gone astray
I cannot gain salvation
embracing accusation
could the father of lies
be telling the truth
of God to me tonight
if the penalty of sin is death
then death is mine
I hear him saying cursed are the ones
who can't abide
he's right
alleluia he's right
the devil is preaching
the song of the redeemed
that I am cursed and gone astray
I cannot gain salvation
oh the devil's singing over me
an age old song
that I am cursed and gone astray
singing the first verse so conveniently
over me
he's forgotten the refrain
Jesus saves!
I will try and give you a general overview. The Bible calls Satan the "father of lies," because he does everything he can to draw us away from God. This song in particular is talking about how Satan tries to weigh us down under the guilt of our sin by reminding us how worthless we are and crippling us with self deprication when we fail. But there is truth in this lie. We are unworthy. We have failed. But here's the good news - the part that Satan leaves out: there is freedom in Christ. Jesus has taken our place and offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to cover the cost of our sins. God is not a God of guilt. He does not want us to live in shame. He desires that we live in the abiding joy that his grace and mercy bring.
Anyway, the song is on my page. So turn your speakers up, close your eyes (or read along with the lyrics below), and enjoy. I hope it means as much to you as it did to me. Thanks for sharing it, Bryan.
the father of lies
coming to steal, kill, and destroy
all my hopes of being good enough
I hear him saying cursed are the ones
who can't abide
he's right
alleluia he's right
the devil is preaching
the song of the redeemed
that I am cursed and gone astray
I cannot gain salvation
embracing accusation
could the father of lies
be telling the truth
of God to me tonight
if the penalty of sin is death
then death is mine
I hear him saying cursed are the ones
who can't abide
he's right
alleluia he's right
the devil is preaching
the song of the redeemed
that I am cursed and gone astray
I cannot gain salvation
oh the devil's singing over me
an age old song
that I am cursed and gone astray
singing the first verse so conveniently
over me
he's forgotten the refrain
Jesus saves!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
A poor attempt to describe the inexplicable.
I just listened to an amazing woman tell the story of how God drew her to him, and I find myself sitting here quite speechless, yet with the need to attempt to express some of the musings with which my spirit is currently overwhelmed.
God is amazing. It seems a trite statement, perhaps, but it is all that I can say. His supremacy and his sovereignty are beyond my limited human comprehension. Every once in awhile we are allowed to see just a glimpse of how he works all things together for his good, and these tiny windows of insight are enough to baffle our minds.
God, you are good, perfect, and worthy of more praise than we can give and infinitely more glory than we can try to reflect. We are all destitute before you. I desperately cry out for your guidance, knowing that I have not the wisdom nor the determination to make the choices I should. Lord, let me be a faithful servant. The best deeds I could ever hope to accomplish would still be but filthy rags, and I thank you that because of your grace, they need not be more than that - a meager attempt at an offering to you. Thank you for your mercy and love that has spared us the dues of our actions. Thank you for making it possible for us to have a relationship with you, and thereby experience the only true joy and peace we could ever hope to know. Thank you for seeing each of us, laid bare with all our weaknesses exposed, and lavishing your pure and perfect love upon us.
You are too marvelous for words. Forgive my poor attempt. Teach me to love you, and to love those whom you love.
God is amazing. It seems a trite statement, perhaps, but it is all that I can say. His supremacy and his sovereignty are beyond my limited human comprehension. Every once in awhile we are allowed to see just a glimpse of how he works all things together for his good, and these tiny windows of insight are enough to baffle our minds.
God, you are good, perfect, and worthy of more praise than we can give and infinitely more glory than we can try to reflect. We are all destitute before you. I desperately cry out for your guidance, knowing that I have not the wisdom nor the determination to make the choices I should. Lord, let me be a faithful servant. The best deeds I could ever hope to accomplish would still be but filthy rags, and I thank you that because of your grace, they need not be more than that - a meager attempt at an offering to you. Thank you for your mercy and love that has spared us the dues of our actions. Thank you for making it possible for us to have a relationship with you, and thereby experience the only true joy and peace we could ever hope to know. Thank you for seeing each of us, laid bare with all our weaknesses exposed, and lavishing your pure and perfect love upon us.
You are too marvelous for words. Forgive my poor attempt. Teach me to love you, and to love those whom you love.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Much Anticipated Kenya Blog.
And by much anticipated, do not think that I have such delusions of grandeur that I believe you've been on the edge of your seats waiting to read this. I simply mean that I have been both eagerly and anxiously looking forward to writing it.
There is always a degree of trepidation when one tries to pen an accurate account of something like a mission trip (or any other event that has a tendency to cause involved parties to see a distinction in their lives before and after). First of all, you want to do the experience justice, and usually feel that no matter your literary skills (or lack thereof), that feat cannot be accomplished. Secondly, each person on a trip may have had a completely different experience, making the writer feel the need to speak not in concrete experiences, but rather subjective ones. Third, there is a shared experience, and thereby culture, which everything is then filtered through. Participants often begin to realize this as they come back to their normative culture and find that no one else seems to "get it."
So with all of that said, I will say... it was too short. Most of you have heard me say this already, but it is honestly my number one reaction to the question, "How was it?" It is always particularly difficult for me to leave a place like that, because I see it as my future, and sometimes want to skip ahead to that point. But it is also very exciting for me to see the possibilities of what my future holds, and it allows me to come back to my current life with renewed energy to prepare myself for whatever future plan God has for me. But you probably are looking for a more practical account with less of my babbling internal thought process.
Basically, we played with the kids. We taught them kick-ball, duck duck goose, how to blow bubbles, crafts, and other things. It is impossible to be around this group of kids and not be smiling from ear to ear. They were so kind, welcoming, loving, and excited. My favorite part of the trip was when the rest of the group hiked a mountain, which I couldn't climb because of my knee. I was sad that I wouldn't be able to go. But instead, I got to just hang out with the kids for about 3 hours. They showed me around the whole campus, invited me into their dorm rooms, asked me tons of questions, told me their dreams for their lives, and stole my heart. There are not a lot of times in my life that I have felt an immediate sense of belonging. It speaks volumes to me, confirming what I believe to be my calling, that it's places like this where I feel that I truly belong. I will put up pictures of the kids that I spent that afternoon with soon, so that you can "meet" them. On a side note, these kids need sponsors to be able to continue in school and realize the dreams that they shared with me. It's only $28 a month. You can feed a family for only $8 a month. There are countless other ways to make a difference, which I think you will want to when you see their beautiful faces. If so, just let me know.
I was also so blessed to get to know the people on our team. Shane (the missionary in Kenya) suggested that we take turns sharing our testimonies in the evenings, and it allowed us to find out things about one another that I never would have expected. It's funny to me that the people I had only ever seen on Sunday mornings, dressed up (as much as we actually dress up at Providence), were now sitting in their pajamas with bare feet and bare souls, sharing with the kind of vulnerability that churches seem to aim for and miss. A trip like this shows you the faults of everyone there, but I can honestly say that I love each of them more now, knowing the scars and imperfections, than I did when I saw them as unblemished and unfamiliar. I hope they can say the same of me.
There are so many more things that I could write about, but this is already very long, and I have the sense that most of you have stopped reading (proper blog etiquette requires, by the way, that you leave a comment if you read). So, I will answer the questions that I haven't already touched on.
What was the funniest thing that happened? Hm... I think I'm going to have to go with a group of five ladies, John Miller, and a French guy who kept reminding us how big of a deal it was that he was helping us all pushing our van out of the mud when we got stuck in the game park. Quality entertainment (once we were out, safe, warm, and clean). Oh, and we bought a live chicken in the middle of a church service. That's a story for another time and another place.
When are you going back? As soon as possible, but realistically, maybe as soon as next year. It depends on a lot of things, including what my role with One Vision becomes in the next year.
What, is the circumference of a moose? I love my family.
Are you going to move to Kenya and care for orphans forever? Not today. That is still my dream, yes.
If you were forced to watch one reality show over and over, what would you pick? Hm... probably So You Think You Can Dance.
What was the most lifechanging moment of the trip? Probably a quiet time that I had at about 3am the second or third day we were there. Oh, or maybe the first night we got there. We stayed at a convent, and I was so absolutely exhausted from traveling and not sleeping in like two days or however long it had been. I crawled into bed with the mosquito netting floating gently and sweetly around me, feeling the breeze from the open window, smelling and hearing Africa outside. I laid there, drifting into sleep, and could not remember ever feeling as happy or peaceful in my whole life as I did in that moment. It was yet another confirmation that God gave me on this trip.
Do you still want to go back and live/work in an orphanage full time one day? Yes.
What was the best part about going? I learned so much about following God from this trip, from the way that he arranged for and allowed me to go, to the things that he taught me there through our experiences, and through Shane and his family. I think the things that he has been trying to tell me for a long time became suddenly clear in Kenya. And I was finally able to spend time in an orphanage, and see that what I've been dreaming of all these years is truly a reality, and a possibility.
Was there anything you missed? My puppy sleeping curled up next to me at night.
I wish I could write more about things like Chris and Eunice, both of whom came to know Christ through women in our group, but I have already written far too much. Thanks to all of you guys who support me, pray for me, and encourage me to follow Christ in my life. There is nothing better in the world than to know the joy that comes from knowing him and following him, and I just want to say thank you to those of you that have helped show me that over the years.
There is always a degree of trepidation when one tries to pen an accurate account of something like a mission trip (or any other event that has a tendency to cause involved parties to see a distinction in their lives before and after). First of all, you want to do the experience justice, and usually feel that no matter your literary skills (or lack thereof), that feat cannot be accomplished. Secondly, each person on a trip may have had a completely different experience, making the writer feel the need to speak not in concrete experiences, but rather subjective ones. Third, there is a shared experience, and thereby culture, which everything is then filtered through. Participants often begin to realize this as they come back to their normative culture and find that no one else seems to "get it."
So with all of that said, I will say... it was too short. Most of you have heard me say this already, but it is honestly my number one reaction to the question, "How was it?" It is always particularly difficult for me to leave a place like that, because I see it as my future, and sometimes want to skip ahead to that point. But it is also very exciting for me to see the possibilities of what my future holds, and it allows me to come back to my current life with renewed energy to prepare myself for whatever future plan God has for me. But you probably are looking for a more practical account with less of my babbling internal thought process.
Basically, we played with the kids. We taught them kick-ball, duck duck goose, how to blow bubbles, crafts, and other things. It is impossible to be around this group of kids and not be smiling from ear to ear. They were so kind, welcoming, loving, and excited. My favorite part of the trip was when the rest of the group hiked a mountain, which I couldn't climb because of my knee. I was sad that I wouldn't be able to go. But instead, I got to just hang out with the kids for about 3 hours. They showed me around the whole campus, invited me into their dorm rooms, asked me tons of questions, told me their dreams for their lives, and stole my heart. There are not a lot of times in my life that I have felt an immediate sense of belonging. It speaks volumes to me, confirming what I believe to be my calling, that it's places like this where I feel that I truly belong. I will put up pictures of the kids that I spent that afternoon with soon, so that you can "meet" them. On a side note, these kids need sponsors to be able to continue in school and realize the dreams that they shared with me. It's only $28 a month. You can feed a family for only $8 a month. There are countless other ways to make a difference, which I think you will want to when you see their beautiful faces. If so, just let me know.
I was also so blessed to get to know the people on our team. Shane (the missionary in Kenya) suggested that we take turns sharing our testimonies in the evenings, and it allowed us to find out things about one another that I never would have expected. It's funny to me that the people I had only ever seen on Sunday mornings, dressed up (as much as we actually dress up at Providence), were now sitting in their pajamas with bare feet and bare souls, sharing with the kind of vulnerability that churches seem to aim for and miss. A trip like this shows you the faults of everyone there, but I can honestly say that I love each of them more now, knowing the scars and imperfections, than I did when I saw them as unblemished and unfamiliar. I hope they can say the same of me.
There are so many more things that I could write about, but this is already very long, and I have the sense that most of you have stopped reading (proper blog etiquette requires, by the way, that you leave a comment if you read). So, I will answer the questions that I haven't already touched on.
What was the funniest thing that happened? Hm... I think I'm going to have to go with a group of five ladies, John Miller, and a French guy who kept reminding us how big of a deal it was that he was helping us all pushing our van out of the mud when we got stuck in the game park. Quality entertainment (once we were out, safe, warm, and clean). Oh, and we bought a live chicken in the middle of a church service. That's a story for another time and another place.
When are you going back? As soon as possible, but realistically, maybe as soon as next year. It depends on a lot of things, including what my role with One Vision becomes in the next year.
What, is the circumference of a moose? I love my family.
Are you going to move to Kenya and care for orphans forever? Not today. That is still my dream, yes.
If you were forced to watch one reality show over and over, what would you pick? Hm... probably So You Think You Can Dance.
What was the most lifechanging moment of the trip? Probably a quiet time that I had at about 3am the second or third day we were there. Oh, or maybe the first night we got there. We stayed at a convent, and I was so absolutely exhausted from traveling and not sleeping in like two days or however long it had been. I crawled into bed with the mosquito netting floating gently and sweetly around me, feeling the breeze from the open window, smelling and hearing Africa outside. I laid there, drifting into sleep, and could not remember ever feeling as happy or peaceful in my whole life as I did in that moment. It was yet another confirmation that God gave me on this trip.
Do you still want to go back and live/work in an orphanage full time one day? Yes.
What was the best part about going? I learned so much about following God from this trip, from the way that he arranged for and allowed me to go, to the things that he taught me there through our experiences, and through Shane and his family. I think the things that he has been trying to tell me for a long time became suddenly clear in Kenya. And I was finally able to spend time in an orphanage, and see that what I've been dreaming of all these years is truly a reality, and a possibility.
Was there anything you missed? My puppy sleeping curled up next to me at night.
I wish I could write more about things like Chris and Eunice, both of whom came to know Christ through women in our group, but I have already written far too much. Thanks to all of you guys who support me, pray for me, and encourage me to follow Christ in my life. There is nothing better in the world than to know the joy that comes from knowing him and following him, and I just want to say thank you to those of you that have helped show me that over the years.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Your Questions.
So, I will eventually blog about our time in Kenya. But as of now, I am too tired to attempt to put together a logical train of thought. Therefore, I am giving you the opportunity to ask questions, which I will then answer in blog form when I wake up from this amazing jet-lag induced stupor. Love all of you. Thanks for praying for me while we were gone. It was good! Seriously, ask some questions.
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