Soothing to my soul

Lately, I've been desiring a community of friends. I have friends in the DFW area, but they all live at least 25 minutes away from me. I hadn't realized how blessed I'd been to have a community of close friends basically dropped in my life all my life. Now, I'm having to search them out and was beginning to feel discouraged. Then this weekend arrived, and though I still haven't found a close group of friends, my thirst for them got a big drink.

My weekend started on Thursday. I took half a day off, and headed to the state fair with my family and friend. I hadn't been to the fair since my senior year of high school, so going back was different, but great. This is "Big Tex" every 30 minutes or so he greets everyone at the fair, he's been around since 1952, he's an old man!! Between the 8 people I was with, I think we tried ever kind of fair food possible - corn dogs, onion strings, tornado taters, turkey legs, funnel cakes, tamales, deep fried banana pudding, etc. It's been awhile since I've eaten that much grease, my body revolted because I didn't feel good the rest of the night. But hanging out and continuing to build up my relationships with my family and friends was wonderful.

Friday was supposed to be my night to pray for Muslims around the world. So, as usual, my sister Kristen and I jumped in the car and headed off to North Dallas. The problem was that when we arrived, no one was there. Jared and Bethany, the two people who are essentially in charge of this group got caught up in planning "A Night in SE Asia" for Frontiers ministries 25th anniversary and forgot to inform the rest of the group that we weren't meeting. So we all showed up, were all surprised that no one was home, but rather than go our separate ways, we fellowshipped with one another. Kristen and I stood around talking with Matt and Tabitha for almost an hour. We talked about their next step in raising support full-time so they can go out on the mission field. We talked about our passions for reaching other people groups. we talked about the upcoming "Night in SE Asia" that we're all attending and what we were looking forward to. The time seemed to pass by so quickly, and I was so blessed by our conversation.

After we said our goodbyes, Kristen and I headed to White Rock Coffee House to hear Matt Bridgman perform. We walked into the sound of many "hellos" from some of the college students who attend out church. After a round of hugs and brief conversations, Kristen and I headed upstairs with our hot chai to enjoy each other's company as well as the music. Much to our delight Matt's dad, Shawn, came upstairs to join us. As we talked our conversation turned from the shallow "how are you?" to a true "how are YOU?". What a blessing it was. We talked about our church and things we appreciate about the body, and things we would like to see happen in the coming years. We talked about some of our struggles in life and how it's okay to share our struggles with one another, that's what makes us part of the body of Christ. It was such a blessing to hear a father in the church had the same perspective I did. Kristen and I ended up venturing downstairs to talk with Matt's mom, Renee. Again, I was blessed by my conversation with this woman. We talked about missions and her passion for the world. We talked about our own passions and where we saw God working in our lives. She invited us over to her home anytime, and I know she means it. My sister has ventured over there before at 2am and walked into Renee making pancakes for them. All of these conversations took place while I listened to Matt play his guitar and sing. The final song was based on Psalms 130:5-6

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning
more than watchmen for the morning

What a beautiful picture of waiting for God. Looking for Him, more than a tired graveyard shift watchmen looks for the morning. That was just Friday.

Saturday, I attended a Mad Hatters Tea Party in memory of one of my friends mothers. Women from all mile-makers in my life were there and we were all wearing hats! It was a wonderful time for me to fellowship with other women and enjoy their company.

Saturday evening, I volunteered my time to Frontier Mission's 25th Anniversary celebration, "A Night in SE Asia" (mentioned previously). The dinner was held at the Gaylord Texan: Resort Hotel and Convention Center. I've never been in a hotel this big before, and truthfully, though it's massiveness was impressive, I didn't feel comfortable. It seemed unnecessary to have something so large. They even had a separate entrance for "Stars" I took of picture of it, just because it's not a sign you see everyday. But the hotel and convention center was packed. It was good to hear about what God is doing in other countries and to visit with people who want to change the world. I even met a couple who told me they were so encouraged to see so many young people at the event because they don't feel called to "go", but they can "send".

All in all, my weekend was jam packed, and I was completely exhausted afterwards, but it was fulfilling, and much needed. It gave me the tenacity to keep searching, but also to capitalize on the relationships I already have and take the time to talk with people. I hope many more weekends like this follow. I have a few pictures I'll post later.

Isaiah 61:1

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me,
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."

This verse is written on a little card that I have been carrying around with me for 2 weeks now. For fourteen days I have looked at this verse everyday, multiple times a day, memorizing it, searing it in my heart, grappling with how to apply it in my life.

Last week I watch a documentary film called Glue Boys (www.glueboys.com). The film centers around 9 boys who live on the streets of Kitale, Kenya and sniff glue to ward off hunger pains and the cold night air. Though filmed in Kitale, the picture also encompasses street children all over the world who turn to glue for "relief".

As I watched the film with tears streaming down my face two emotions waged a war inside me. The first was a breaking heart. Now, I know that's not really an "emotion", but it is something I distinctly felt, so go along with me. The second emotion was anger. A deep, bordering on hateful anger at companies who provide the glue, knowing it goes to street kids, just so they can make a profit.

How do these two strings of thought relate? The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. Children who live on the street are among the poorest of the poor. They have no where to sleep. They rarely have any possessions other than the clothes on their back. They scavenge in trash piles for something to eat, hoping it doesn't make them sick. You can't get much poorer than that.

But what breaks my heart the most is that most street children choose to live on the streets. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. These children choose this lifestyle because they are bound to the glue. They are captive to the illusion of freedom life on the street brings. They are in a prison they have created and often don't want to leave. Though convicted of my hatred towards companies who knowingly provide glue to street children, anger still burns within me. How dare multi-million (maybe even billion) dollar companies take advantage of innocent children. There are ways to make the glue irritable to nasal passages, yet still effective for its intended purpose. But companies, corrupted by the desire for wealth, refuse to make such changes to their product.

There are homes all over the world dedicated to giving children the chance to get off the streets. But they often run away from these homes because the kingdom of the world tells them that glue is easier. The world feeds them the lie that sniffing glue will solve the problems life on the street brings. It will erase the memories, the hunger pains, and the cold, and eventually kill them. Glue will eventually kill any child who habitually sniffs it. But it does more than kill them physically, it kills their innocence. It kills their warmth. It kills their hearts. Glue takes away from them the chance to be a child.

Why do I care? According to the world's standards their presence on the streets shouldn't affect me, but it does. Granted, I haven't traveled many places where I have been struck by the poverty surrounding me, but I have seen a 3 year old, barefoot little boy on the street, clothed in only a t-shirt, and looking in a pile of trash for some food. I have seen children so thin their rib cage protrudes out from their body. And I have seen multiple kids walking around on the streets, a glue bottle tucked inside their sleeve, so "high" they can't even walk straight. Though I don't see these children in my everyday life, I love them. I don't want them to be on the street, imprisoned by their desire for glue. I want them to go to bed every night with a full stomach and warm covers. I want them to live in the freedom Christ offers.

What happens now? Where do I go from here? I go to the ONLY place I can, down on my knees. Praying for their freedom, and spiritually backing up anyone who is trying to help.

Weekend Adventures

This past weekend was jam packed with fun times!

Friday night, my sister and her husband came down for my cousin's wedding and stayed the weekend with us. It was so great to see them again. This is my sister and me at the wedding. I miss her alot!!



Saturday night we headed off to the Mesquite Rodeo. Can you believe I've lived in Mesquite for close to 15 years now and this was my first time to go to the Mesquite Rodeo? My family always planned to go when I was busy. It was fun. This is the gang that went to the rodeo with us.

The rodeo was so much fun!! Totally corny at times, but so much fun! I've decided some cowboys are just asking to get hurt. They play this game at the rodeo called bull poker. They sit four cowboys around a card table, then let an angry bull loose in the area. The last cowboy out of his chair wins. You can look at the pictures below.

It was so great to have our entire family together again. With all the changes that took place in my life, processing through my family not being in one location was one of those things I pushed aside. Having Valerie and the dynamic she brings back in our family...well it's making me work through that change. I really missed her, didn't know how much until she came back.

Anyhow, that was my weekend. Full of good life lessons and lots of fun times.