The Excellent Woman of God

I was so blessed yesterday listening to a message online from my future church, Austin Stone. I have been getting fed so much by listening to their sermons online. This message was the Mother's Day message on Proverbs 31. This message is so encouraging, both the ladies and the guys. Ladies...Our calling is to completely fall in love with Jesus. Alot of times women come away from a Proverbs 31 talk and feel discouraged, feeling like they can never live up to that calling. Don't be discouraged. "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come...charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Our clothing is strength and dignity. He never once talks about the outward appearance, what our body type should be, what type of brand names we should wear. CHARACTER ladies! I have to constantly remind myself of that. I have found myself in relationships where I have felt like what I look like matters more than who I am. I have to constantly be reminded of these verses and that a man who will treat me right some day will love me because of me and my character not because they think "I'm hot". My prayer is that Jesus would clothe me with strength and dignity, that I would continue my laughing at the days to come!!
Guys...first to my single guys...pray for this woman, look for character first, encourage your sisters. to my married guys...encourage your wife and build her up. Make sure she knows that she is BEAUTIFUL! Pray for the future, pray for your kids spouses, their friends, be proactive.
Take a listen to this message and let me know what you think.

Bocce Ball and Faithfulness

Yesterday was my b-day! I am now 25! I'm a quarter! I like to think of it that way instead of being halfway to 50! Last night some good friends and I had a BBQ. It was great! I got the coolest present...A Bocce Ball set! It's a great game and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to have fun! Get a group together and get your Bocce on!
I was reminded last night, as I was thinking about my 25 years of life, of God's faithfulness. There are story after story of God's perfect faithfulness in my life, even before I was a christian and knew that God's hand was on my life. Even in the times when I hadn't been so faithful to Him, He was faithful. When I went through some of the hardest times in my life, He was faithful. "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed. For His compassions never fail, they are new every morning. GREAT is your faithfulness" Lamentations 3:22-23
When I became a christian I prayed that God would give me a story. That I would be able to glorify Him greatly with my life. Again, He has been faithful, and He has given me a story to tell! In some aspects of my life story I would say I'm not proud of, or would not have planned out for myself. But I have been able to say now that I am thankful. SO thankful. My life has been a series of experiences that have shaped me into who I am. I'm thankful for that.
God knows what He is doing. His faithfulness is PERFECT!
"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself." Psalm 89:1-2

Goodbyes are HARD!

So tonight I had to say my first goodbyes to some amazing women in my life. This last year I had the privilege of leading 6 women who rocked the 24-7 band! We spent time together learning about what it looks like to be a lead worshipper and to live a lifestyle that shows devotion and love for Jesus. We prayed together, laughed, cried, hugged, did girly things, shared life. It has been an amazing year, especially this last semester. We were able to share about our successes and our failures. And despite all of MY many failures and feelings of inadequacy to lead this group, the Lord was glorified and in my smallness He was GREAT! I will forever be changed because of them! You girls rock!
"Like many of you I once was born a very small baby!"

Keep Austin Weird

We're going!! By faith, my good friend Hilary and I are taking the next steps in making the move to "keep Austin weird"!!! God has been amazing in leading us to Austin. We are trusting in Him to provide and to continue to open and shut doors as we pursue this adventure!! Most of all we want Him to be glorified, for people to see this and say, "God is HUGE!!"