Last week I made a morning commute through Dallas traffic to downtown Dallas where I took a CPR Instructor class. The class was from 8am-6pm, Tuesday-Friday and was mostly lecture (a fact I was unaware of before signing up for the class). My motivation for taking the class has many facets.
- I currently work at Redeemer Bible Church as their Children's Director and I want at least one volunteer in every classroom to be CPR/First Aid certified, plus I think it's important for our staff to be certified in case of an emergency.
- I've been taking some kind of First Aid course since I was 13. Whether it be babysitters training, CPR, First Aid, Lifeguarding, Wilderness First Responder, etc. I've been certified in some area related to first aid, and God like to use my knowledge apparently because I'm continually having to utilize what I've learned.
- Red Cross is internationally recognized as an "Aide" organization. My certification can grant me access into countries simply because I'm associated with Red Cross. I can also train people internationally.
On Sunday, November 11th, my mother had the brilliant idea to invite our family over to stuff and wrap Operation Christmas child presents. I will do these every year because I have a friend who was in Thailand when the presents were delivered and her stories and pictures of the kids will always motivate me to participate in Operation Christmas Child. Anyhow, my family enjoys getting together, but we usually make it revolve around a holiday or birthday, so revolving it around a service project was new. The day was such a success!! We planned to stuff 4 boxes, 2 for boys and 2 for girls, but my family brought so many toys, pens, pencils, paint, etc. that we ended up filling 9 boxes and still had supplies left over! The day was made a success because it gave us a bridge to talk to my family about God in a non-threatening way. When asked where the boxes go and why we're stuffing boxes, my mother, sister and I were able to share bits of the Gospel with my family.
One moment that I stick with me for awhile was when my Grandma asked why we were stuffing so many boxes. My mother responded, "because God calls us to care for orphans and widows so we're going to follow His command." My Grandma was a little thrown off by her response, but it hit home and I was so proud of my mom for not taking the easy way out.
While this might not seem like a very big deal to many of you, it was a turning point for my immediate family. We're not stepping down anymore and settling for whatever our extended family will give us, we're taking charge. There's a sense of urgency now and I love it!! After years and years of prayer we're finally starting to see fruit. I was at my Aunt's house the other day to wish my cousin "good luck" before her volleyball try outs and before I could come up with the idea, my Aunt called us over to her and said, "We need to pray". I was almost moved to tears. That statement is one you would hear used in MY family, not my AUNT'S family. It was a joyous moment. We sat down and for 10 minutes prayed for my cousin's try outs and her ministry on whatever team she made.
God's faithfulness to answer my prayers shone through at that moment and it's sparked in me a flame to pray more fervently. I was talking to a friend who's also felt the need to pray more and she said, "when I want something in this life I keep at. If I want to meet with someone, I'm going to keep asking that person until they make time for me. But I'm not that way with God." I'm not either. I pray, but not with a sense of urgency, not with an unquenchable passion. When I lift up things that are specifically connected to my heart and life I feel a sense of urgency, but not with everything. It's a phenomenon I'm still dealing with. But despite that I'm committed to spending more dedicated, focused time in prayer.
That's an update on me. It's been awhile since I've posted anything. Pictures will be arriving soon.
God Bless!!
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