1st, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALISA DUBNISKI (x20). Yay :)
Seriously y'all, this girl is so freakin' awesome. Not a second goes by with her that you aren't laughing or smiling or giggling or in my case, snorting. If you don't know this girl, get to know her!!! I have spent tons of time with her these last few weeks and I can honestly say I've smiled more :) So thank you CT for an awesome few weeks!!!
OK-- on to Jesus :)
Jesus has RADIATED in my life this week. On Tuesday in bible study there were 3 awesome girls whose lives are being transformed by the worst of circumstances.. Anna's mom was murdered 2 weeks ago. Katy's friend is in the hospital because of a heroine overdose. Such sad things that God shines so brightly through. Anna said it was the first time she had consistently felt peace about it in weeks. Katy said she felt God there. HOW FREAKIN' LEGIT IS THAT??? God was in that bible study with all of us. And He also managed to reach me- the focus was on 'you aren't who you used to be'. Just what I needed to hear in addition to God's message of how blessed I am now!!
So, my parents are coming this weekend. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!! Seriously, They are so knowledgeable and so loving. I am so so blessed by them! This weekend will be fun. We have a Theta tailgate and time to just hang out with the rents :) ballin!!!
I was on facebook today and my status was still 'Terrible, terrible day' from Thursday due to arriving late to a test, being sick, and finding out I'm failing a class. Not that much to make a day terrible, right? But in that moment I was DOWN about life. Which is very hypocritical, considering I'm currently participating in The Wells' Project 10 days where I sacrifice all beverages other than water for 10 days. I'm practicing a sacrifice to help others who's bad days consist of walking miles for water and carrying a 30 lb jug back. Seriously? Grades that wont matter when I actually get a job are ruining my day while those who have to walk to get water that I can access down the hall are shouting praises to the Lord??? How selfish can I be?
I've decided that sacrifice is a great way to connect my heart with God. This week, I am going to make an effort to do absolutely NOTHING selfish. As in things that provide opportunity to serve others or myself, I'll choose others. It sounds dumb that I don't do this already, but in small things like getting someone water or giving them my last piece of gum.. that stuff goes on all the time without most of us realizing it. Again, I reiterate that THESE petty things are selfish struggles for me while the people I'm currently sacrificing for don't experience any of it. What has happened to this world?
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations. -Psalm 100:1-5
I repeat.. What has happened to this world? I did mission work in Mexico for spring break for 4 years in a row and we had to drive 12 hours to get there. We stopped in El Paso, though, which is a wonderful place that produces wonderful people (Jenna Ponsford). But when at the Walmart that overlooks the border, it is so depressing what you see. You look down and see paved roads, you look around and see nice cars and lights and plumbing. You look at the border and you see dust, a broken culture with dumps the size of mountains that people dig through and die in because they fall through to the firey inferno below. You smell sewage that runs in a river by the houses because they don't have anywhere else to put it.. and you see children with knives as play toys. NONE of those facts are exaggerated or fake. Why have I forgotten this? Why do I allow this to continue?
Those people perfect the concept of dependency on God. They truly understand Psalm 100. They get it and they live it. Sure, I understand dependency on God because of broken emotional circumstances, but I don't know Him on a level that is due to broken lives and broken social structure and the blatant fact that people don't care about you or your society. If my friend was living like that, I'd move heaven and earth to get them in a safe place. These people that are suffering are not just friends, they're brothers and sisters in Christ. Why am I not doing ANYTHING to help them?
The funny thing is I don't know why I went on this rant tonight.. this was so incredibly random.. but what makes it funnier is that today in a church service that I payed little to no attention on (based on missions) they discussed God's calling to missions. I want to go to Africa so bad. I do believe that God just worked through me in this blog in this moment. How AMAZING He is!!!!!
Maybe my calling this summer isn't to a summer camp... maybe it is to Africa. Oh my gosh.. I need some serious prayer time.
Thanks anyone?
Lord God, thank you for working in me in the most amazing ways and random ways. If You are working in me to go to Africa, or wherever, continue to make it be known!! If you want me to work in Dallas, make it be known. I am at full disposal of Your will!
God thank you for Catherine Turano, thank you for her joy and spirit and sweet heart. You have done good work with her, Lord. Continue to make yourself known to her as she radiates Your love!!
God thank you for Alisa Dubinski. She is 20 today and has been such a light in my life :) You are obviously working through her in me!!! Thank you for that opportunity!
God thank you for putting a passion for service in my heart. Thank you for providing for me and continuing to show me those who don't have a fraction of the things I do. I ask You to continue to heal my heart and don't let guilt creep in for the way I live and where I live. Instead lead my heart to ways of change for Your children, Lord!!!
AH such a spriritual night!!! To my audience, Vaya con dios :)
Molly
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