So....talked to my parents last night, they got word from the Neurologist that my Dad officially does have Parkinson's disease & they are moving forward with treatment. He obviously was just devastated but willing to keep fighting. I just tried to encourage him that this isn't a death sentence...there are a lot worse fates, he could have stage 4 cancer & only have 3 months to live, you know? So I'm just like its ok, this might be your new season, but handle it with grace, and on your knees before him & pray that you are able to point it back to God & his goodness through it.
So I'm asking that you guys would join me in praying for him...not necessarily for healing...although that would be amazing, but that whatever this new season is, that my Dad & my Mom both would be drawn to their knees before God & that he would become greater in their lives. That through this people would wonder how and why they are handling it with such grace & ease...and ultimately draw coworkers,neighbors whomever; and then ultimately that HIS will would be done healing, no healing whatever. Not things that we think would be best or not the outcome that we see fit, but that through this He would become greater & we would become less.
These words just brought me so much comfort on Sunday....so so true. He is bigger than this too.
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
Thanks for praying ♥
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sweet Praise
I read this, this morning. Its a song of praise that David wrote (2 Chronicles 16:7-36) & it was just my heart. I really felt like I could say these very words to him today. He is changing me, and making me look more like him, and I just want my lips to sing praises to Him. I pray you would be blessed as you read these words too.
7 That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the LORD in this manner:
8 Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done
9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.
12 Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
13 you his servants, the descendants of Israel,
his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
14 He is the LORD our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
15 He remembers[c] his covenant forever,
the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
17 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
18 “To you I will give the land of Canaan
as the portion you will inherit.”
19 When they were but few in number,
few indeed, and strangers in it,
20 they[d] wandered from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another.
21 He allowed no one to oppress them;
for their sake he rebuked kings:
22 “Do not touch my anointed ones;
do my prophets no harm.”
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his dwelling place.
28 Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his[e] holiness.
30 Tremble before him, all the earth!
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
33 Let the trees of the forest sing,
let them sing for joy before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise.”
36 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”
7 That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the LORD in this manner:
8 Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done
9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.
12 Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
13 you his servants, the descendants of Israel,
his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
14 He is the LORD our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
15 He remembers[c] his covenant forever,
the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
17 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
18 “To you I will give the land of Canaan
as the portion you will inherit.”
19 When they were but few in number,
few indeed, and strangers in it,
20 they[d] wandered from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another.
21 He allowed no one to oppress them;
for their sake he rebuked kings:
22 “Do not touch my anointed ones;
do my prophets no harm.”
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his dwelling place.
28 Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his[e] holiness.
30 Tremble before him, all the earth!
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
33 Let the trees of the forest sing,
let them sing for joy before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise.”
36 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Santa's Coming!
My friend Jami showed me this website & I thought it was super fun!
Its a message from Santa specially for Ella!! :)
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/gcXIQRDXLxJV0TPPdteYcMg?utm_campaign=share-video&utm_medium=share&utm_source=copy-paste
Its a message from Santa specially for Ella!! :)
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/gcXIQRDXLxJV0TPPdteYcMg?utm_campaign=share-video&utm_medium=share&utm_source=copy-paste
Monday, December 12, 2011
One Voice
This weekend has kind of been a weird mix of emotions weekend. I had this past Friday off, so it was so much fun to get to spend time with Ella we did really fun things, I had the chance to make a birthday cake for one of our best friends, had a great time with friends....and all the while I was just overcome with insecurity. The whole weekend. What is that? I am not normally a person who struggles with insecurity...I mean yes I have my days, what girl doesn't, but normally they are a fleeting thing that I can just walk past & leave it there. This weekend though, I could not shake it. Just everything...you name it from looks, to abilities, to parenting, to friendships, to anything & everything in between I was just riddled with insecurity. It was not fun. For me too when I have these times its not like it just goes away it takes a few days to undo itself, and remember truth & who I really am.
Which in all the Lords fashion, He was there for me, to encourage & shape me. I love that about Him. The chapter I read this morning was called: Christ, our identity. It talked about who we are in Christ & who he says we are. Talked about how Barnabas was an encourager, Timothy faithfully served & learns under an older servant of God, Stephen was a fearless witness. "Even Jacob in Genesis 32:28 understood his identity was no longer that of a deceiver but that of a prince, and from that moment on, his life changed until it matched what God said about him."
I love that line...his life changed UNTIL it MATCHED what God said about him. its on going not a one time thing...its living, its active, always moving & changing.
Even looking at Jesus, "Everyday he encountered people who publicly declared that he couldn't be the Messiah. He managed to ignore all those voices around Him & continue His journey toward the cross without being shaken. He listened to & BELIEVED only one voice-that of his Father. Each time people asked Him who He was, He confessed the identity His Father declared about Him."
This was so good for my heart to read. In these moments of weakness I need to learn to refuse to give in to the voices of my mind & emotions and whatever negative things I try to convince myself that I am. Instead, confessing, believing, and ACTING upon the identity that Jesus gave me in His word, and the calling he has on my life.
So how about you, what voices are you listening to? Who's voice will you believe?
Which in all the Lords fashion, He was there for me, to encourage & shape me. I love that about Him. The chapter I read this morning was called: Christ, our identity. It talked about who we are in Christ & who he says we are. Talked about how Barnabas was an encourager, Timothy faithfully served & learns under an older servant of God, Stephen was a fearless witness. "Even Jacob in Genesis 32:28 understood his identity was no longer that of a deceiver but that of a prince, and from that moment on, his life changed until it matched what God said about him."
I love that line...his life changed UNTIL it MATCHED what God said about him. its on going not a one time thing...its living, its active, always moving & changing.
Even looking at Jesus, "Everyday he encountered people who publicly declared that he couldn't be the Messiah. He managed to ignore all those voices around Him & continue His journey toward the cross without being shaken. He listened to & BELIEVED only one voice-that of his Father. Each time people asked Him who He was, He confessed the identity His Father declared about Him."
This was so good for my heart to read. In these moments of weakness I need to learn to refuse to give in to the voices of my mind & emotions and whatever negative things I try to convince myself that I am. Instead, confessing, believing, and ACTING upon the identity that Jesus gave me in His word, and the calling he has on my life.
So how about you, what voices are you listening to? Who's voice will you believe?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Reeeeeally?!?
So what's better than getting paid for one of your works of art?
Ooo ooh I know!!
Losing that check!
: /
Not a fun way to end my weekend.
Ooo ooh I know!!
Losing that check!
: /
Not a fun way to end my weekend.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Wreck my Life
I am started to get my journals from my trip to Ethiopia all typed out. We had no Internet, no cell service nothing while we were there....so it was back to stone ages of pen & paper. :)
Once I get them all finished I'll post more.
Ethiopia Day 1
November 5, 2011
Well we have just spent our first day in Addis Ababa. Only took a 3 hour drive to Dulles, then a 12 hour flight to Ethiopia – then a 2 hour crazy chaotic drive down to Mojo – where I now sit. I’m just beside myself, one because of the fact that 16 years later God answered my prayers, and I’m back in Africa, but two because I am excited & in anticipation of what he will do while here. I can’t wait to hug & love on the children. To show them Jesus loves them. On the plane I started reading the book Kisses from Katie, by Katie Davis. It is chilling to the core, I think I cried through the whole 1st couple chapters. Haha She just sounds like a normal girl, who said yes to Jesus. In chapter 11 she is talking about the phrase “God will not give you more than you can handle” – she believes that God totally, absolutely, and intentionally gives us more than we can handle – because this is when we surrender to Him and He takes over; proving Himself by doing the impossible in our lives.
“I have learned to accept it, even ask for it; give me more than I can handle, because in these times God shows himself victorious. All of this life requires more of Him & less of me. God does give us more – not maliciously, but intentionally, in love, so that his glory may be displayed that we have no doubt of who is in control, and people can see His grace and faithfulness shining through our lives” she writes.
I guess that is where I’m at – I’m terrified to ask for more than I can handle. I want to, but I’m scared to. I have no idea what this means, but I want this. Its one thing to be sitting in your comfy home, in your comfort zone and ask this….but its another when you are completely out of your element & in a new place, away from all the comforts we get as Americans. So as I sit here, In Mojo Ethiopia…I want Him to prove that He can do the impossible in my life and I would have no doubt about who is in control.
Wreck my life Lord.
Words we learned today:
Amesegenalehu – Thank you
Yesus – Jesus
Ethiopia Day 2
Sunday November 6, 2011
We went to Nazaret today, to a church service. During the service the pastor started yelling out & our translators were telling us that he was saying he would not continue until the evil spirits were gone. There were 3 demon possessed women in the crowd. When called out, one by one there was this wretched awful screech that was let out when each one of them were called out. Quite intense.
We also went out walking around Mojo today, with no guide. It was pretty….scary….men were yelling it was just a busy area & people started following us yelling stuff that we didn’t understand, so we felt it was time to turn around. We regrouped in the hotel parking lot & wanted to try again so we went the other direction & this street proved to be a bit more “safe” feeling. You still got the same stares as you walked by, but the crowds were not as dense so we didn’t the yelling & followers like we did the other direction. We saw some kids playing soccer & the guys wanted to go play soccer with them, so we did that. Then we ran into some men that were laughing & singing really loud, later to find out from Leul that they were drunk farmers coming in from a hard days work. Who knew! Haha
Overall it was a great day, we ate dinner together then played games trying to adjust to the time change (8 hours ahead of Lynchburg). I’m so excited to see what is next for us!
Ethiopia Day 3
Monday November 7, 2011
Today we went to Genesis Farms in Debre Zeit! It was SO lush & beautiful! The farm was begun thanks to two gentlemen, an American and an Ethiopian. Genesis farm is part of a project designed to pass on not only skills and knowledge about agriculture and farming, but also to spread the Gospel to others in developing countries like Ethiopia. Employing roughly 650 workers, the farm does an exceptional job at providing employment and also food security for the local community. As we were there we sat and watched a line of people waiting with jugs in hand. We asked Leul what they were waiting for it, and he told us that is how they get their milk. They wait in a long line then around 3pm they bring the milk from the cows & sell it to the people at a discounted rate so they can have fresh milk. I was rocked, as you can imagine. We walk into our many many grocery store locations to find gallons & gallons of milk. It just was very humbling.
After Genesis Farm, we went to Rafiki.
“Rafiki” means friend in Swahili and depicts the purpose of the Foundation—to befriend orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27). The mission of the Rafiki Foundation is to help Africans know God by caring for and educating orphans, providing materials and training in education and Bible study, and giving economic opportunities to widows.
It was such a good afternoon of just loving & hugging on those sweet kiddos. They were just so full of life. I was humbled again because some of those kids were found in barns by farmers. They would bring the kids who were just abandoned to Rafiki because they knew they would be loved & cared for. And that they are. It was really good to see how well taken care of they are.
Such a full day. My heart was really full today.
Once I get them all finished I'll post more.
Ethiopia Day 1
November 5, 2011
Well we have just spent our first day in Addis Ababa. Only took a 3 hour drive to Dulles, then a 12 hour flight to Ethiopia – then a 2 hour crazy chaotic drive down to Mojo – where I now sit. I’m just beside myself, one because of the fact that 16 years later God answered my prayers, and I’m back in Africa, but two because I am excited & in anticipation of what he will do while here. I can’t wait to hug & love on the children. To show them Jesus loves them. On the plane I started reading the book Kisses from Katie, by Katie Davis. It is chilling to the core, I think I cried through the whole 1st couple chapters. Haha She just sounds like a normal girl, who said yes to Jesus. In chapter 11 she is talking about the phrase “God will not give you more than you can handle” – she believes that God totally, absolutely, and intentionally gives us more than we can handle – because this is when we surrender to Him and He takes over; proving Himself by doing the impossible in our lives.
“I have learned to accept it, even ask for it; give me more than I can handle, because in these times God shows himself victorious. All of this life requires more of Him & less of me. God does give us more – not maliciously, but intentionally, in love, so that his glory may be displayed that we have no doubt of who is in control, and people can see His grace and faithfulness shining through our lives” she writes.
I guess that is where I’m at – I’m terrified to ask for more than I can handle. I want to, but I’m scared to. I have no idea what this means, but I want this. Its one thing to be sitting in your comfy home, in your comfort zone and ask this….but its another when you are completely out of your element & in a new place, away from all the comforts we get as Americans. So as I sit here, In Mojo Ethiopia…I want Him to prove that He can do the impossible in my life and I would have no doubt about who is in control.
Wreck my life Lord.
Words we learned today:
Amesegenalehu – Thank you
Yesus – Jesus
Ethiopia Day 2
Sunday November 6, 2011
We went to Nazaret today, to a church service. During the service the pastor started yelling out & our translators were telling us that he was saying he would not continue until the evil spirits were gone. There were 3 demon possessed women in the crowd. When called out, one by one there was this wretched awful screech that was let out when each one of them were called out. Quite intense.
We also went out walking around Mojo today, with no guide. It was pretty….scary….men were yelling it was just a busy area & people started following us yelling stuff that we didn’t understand, so we felt it was time to turn around. We regrouped in the hotel parking lot & wanted to try again so we went the other direction & this street proved to be a bit more “safe” feeling. You still got the same stares as you walked by, but the crowds were not as dense so we didn’t the yelling & followers like we did the other direction. We saw some kids playing soccer & the guys wanted to go play soccer with them, so we did that. Then we ran into some men that were laughing & singing really loud, later to find out from Leul that they were drunk farmers coming in from a hard days work. Who knew! Haha
Overall it was a great day, we ate dinner together then played games trying to adjust to the time change (8 hours ahead of Lynchburg). I’m so excited to see what is next for us!
Ethiopia Day 3
Monday November 7, 2011
Today we went to Genesis Farms in Debre Zeit! It was SO lush & beautiful! The farm was begun thanks to two gentlemen, an American and an Ethiopian. Genesis farm is part of a project designed to pass on not only skills and knowledge about agriculture and farming, but also to spread the Gospel to others in developing countries like Ethiopia. Employing roughly 650 workers, the farm does an exceptional job at providing employment and also food security for the local community. As we were there we sat and watched a line of people waiting with jugs in hand. We asked Leul what they were waiting for it, and he told us that is how they get their milk. They wait in a long line then around 3pm they bring the milk from the cows & sell it to the people at a discounted rate so they can have fresh milk. I was rocked, as you can imagine. We walk into our many many grocery store locations to find gallons & gallons of milk. It just was very humbling.
After Genesis Farm, we went to Rafiki.
“Rafiki” means friend in Swahili and depicts the purpose of the Foundation—to befriend orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27). The mission of the Rafiki Foundation is to help Africans know God by caring for and educating orphans, providing materials and training in education and Bible study, and giving economic opportunities to widows.
It was such a good afternoon of just loving & hugging on those sweet kiddos. They were just so full of life. I was humbled again because some of those kids were found in barns by farmers. They would bring the kids who were just abandoned to Rafiki because they knew they would be loved & cared for. And that they are. It was really good to see how well taken care of they are.
Such a full day. My heart was really full today.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Ethiopia Bound
I am leaving for Ethiopia so SOON!! I'm SO excited!
They prayed for our team tonight at church, but I wasn't able to attend because of a sick baby. :( However, I was there in spirit.
Going back to Africa is a 16 year prayer request of mine that has been answered! See when I was a Junior in high school I went to Ghana Africa with Teen Mania Ministries & it was an experience that changed my life, forever. God birthed in me a love & a compassion for the people of Africa. I know its from him because my heart doesn't beat & skip for every culture like it does for the African culture. My heart beats for them, I love their culture, I love how joyful they are when they don't even have a fraction of what we have here in America. They are beautiful people & they captured my heart. They captured it so much that I had decided once done with college I was going to try to go live over there....well long story short with a now husband & baby...that plan did not pan out; obviously.
Until now. (sorta, minus the living part.) :)
See I have been praying to be able to go back at some point, some how; I even had an opportunity to go with a group a few years ago, but the time wasn't right & I wasn't able to go. Which leads me to today....one day away from yet another answered prayer. God is so amazing to me, not because he answers me & gives me the desires of my heart, but because he HEARS me. He doesn't give me my desires when I want them or when I think I need them, but in his time he has worked them out.....according to HIS plan. I am not the same girl I was 16, 10, even 5 years ago. He has transformed me & brought me to a place of complete & total surrender to him, and HIS plan....not mine....no matter what.
I go into this trip with knees to the earth, hands open wide, ready to drink in all he has for me.
I'm so humbled & in awe. I am not sure how much time I'll have to blog while over there, but I'll at least get some notes jotted down to bring back to everyone. Until next time....
Beaming with gratitude,
Janna ♥
They prayed for our team tonight at church, but I wasn't able to attend because of a sick baby. :( However, I was there in spirit.
Going back to Africa is a 16 year prayer request of mine that has been answered! See when I was a Junior in high school I went to Ghana Africa with Teen Mania Ministries & it was an experience that changed my life, forever. God birthed in me a love & a compassion for the people of Africa. I know its from him because my heart doesn't beat & skip for every culture like it does for the African culture. My heart beats for them, I love their culture, I love how joyful they are when they don't even have a fraction of what we have here in America. They are beautiful people & they captured my heart. They captured it so much that I had decided once done with college I was going to try to go live over there....well long story short with a now husband & baby...that plan did not pan out; obviously.
Until now. (sorta, minus the living part.) :)
See I have been praying to be able to go back at some point, some how; I even had an opportunity to go with a group a few years ago, but the time wasn't right & I wasn't able to go. Which leads me to today....one day away from yet another answered prayer. God is so amazing to me, not because he answers me & gives me the desires of my heart, but because he HEARS me. He doesn't give me my desires when I want them or when I think I need them, but in his time he has worked them out.....according to HIS plan. I am not the same girl I was 16, 10, even 5 years ago. He has transformed me & brought me to a place of complete & total surrender to him, and HIS plan....not mine....no matter what.
I go into this trip with knees to the earth, hands open wide, ready to drink in all he has for me.
I'm so humbled & in awe. I am not sure how much time I'll have to blog while over there, but I'll at least get some notes jotted down to bring back to everyone. Until next time....
Beaming with gratitude,
Janna ♥
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