Friday Favorites; Identity

Who I am in Christ by Neil T. Anderson

I am secure in Christ

• I am free forever from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2)
• I am assured that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28 )
• I am free from any condemning charges against me (Romans 8:33-34)
• I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:35, 38-39)
• I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
• I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected (Philippians 1:6)
• I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
• I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
• I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)
• I can find grace and mercy to help me in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)
• I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18 )

Lord me help not to just know these things but to believe them with my whole heart and to display them in my daily life. Thank you that I’m your daughter and have all of these benefits in You! I love you, Lord.

A little rusty

I’m a little rusty on my kid skills. It’s been a solid four years since I’ve been around little ones on a consistent basis. But in someways it seems like not that long ago I was a nanny and was in my element being with kids.

I have spent quite a bit of time this last week at an orphanage. It’s been fun, the kids are hilarious and adorable. On Sunday shortly after I arrived we went out for ice cream. Being the new attraction and all by the time I unlocked my car, got in the driver seat and turned around to see who was in my car I saw 5 bright white smiles shining at me and 1 next to me in the passenger seat. When I said I think we have to many people in this car; some of you need to go get in another car. I had 6 kids screaming Auntie please let me ride with you please! Amy the house mom walked by, chuckled and said oh it’s fine if they all ride with you if you are ok with it. So off we went 7 of us crammed in my car.

About three minutes into the drive I was quickly reminded that distracted mom’s are the scariest drivers in the world! I was a bit overwhelmed and thought how was i so comfortable driving kids around shortly after I learned how to drive?!?!?! But quickly I found my kid zone and enjoyed getting to know these precious little ones and laughing with them.

Although my nanny skills are a bit rusty and a little out of practice they come quickly when needed, I guess it’s a little like riding a bike. Somethings you never forget.

Prayer

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:9-12

This is one of my favorite prayers in scripture and it’s the prayer of my heart this week. Thank you Lord for listening to and answering our prayers!

What are you praying for this week? Let me know and I’ll join praying with you.

Friday Favorites: Pine

I heart pineapple. Which is affectionately shortened to pine in South Africa. I believe that almost anything is better with pineapple. Pizza, hamburger, chicken burger, drinks, fruit salad, cake, trail mix, chap-stick, salad, salsa, smoothie, ok I think you get the point. I love pineapple!

In the last few years I think this love of mine has grown stronger or at least I’m expressing it more. Last year for Christmas my housemate Kelly gave me a willow figurine that is holding a pineapple. It makes me smile every time I see it.

I recently got a belated birthday gift from Jenn; it was a purse full of pineapple things. So I admit my pineapple collection is becoming a little out of control and I know one day I will have to purge it. But right now, today i love it.

Thanks ladies for sharing supporting the pine love!

Hope

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord Psalm 31:24

I have been complimenting hope a lot recently. First of all I have been thinking about it in light of the inauguration this week and secondly I have been thinking about it personally.

Even being 1000’s of miles away from America all that has been on the news this week has been the inauguration and President Obama. I have enjoyed seeing and being able to be a part in this historic time. My heart did swell with American pride as I watched some of the inauguration and felt the overwhelming sense of accomplishment and celebration of how far our nation has come and the freedom we have. Even the simple peaceful transfer of power spoke volume when I am on a continent that the transfer of power is rarely peaceful. Yet at the same time I’m a little nervous about the amount of hope that rests on Obama not only for America but for the world.

As humans we crave and need hope. Yet at the same time hope is a little risky in that you open up the possibly to be let down or disappointed. But hope lets me dream. Hope pushes me and doesn’t allow me to settle for the ordinary. Hope gives me the endurance to push through unimaginable circumstances. Hope gives me light at the end of the tunnel. Hope gives me purpose and drive.

So even though hope at times can seem a bit scary and risky I can’t help but put my hope in the Lord. And the best part is He is eternal and doesn’t change so even though my circumstances will change and the things I’m hoping for will change; my overall, arching hope will never change.

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14

Street Signs

Can you find the street sign?

As I navigate and find my way around unfamiliar parts of this city I have ran across some funny cultural differences. Last week I was navigating to an orphanage for a short visit and to see about volunteering there while I continue to seek God for direction and a ministry to partner with full time.

It started pouring down rain while I was driving, no big deal-slow down a bit, be caution and drive slow through the lakes forming in the roads. The problem came when I realized that most of the street signs in this particular area looked like this…

So with most of the street names painted on the curb it was a bit difficult to navigate through street where the water was above the curb. I just had to laugh, keep trekking and after only a few minor u-turn found the orphanage. Got to love street signs in one of Africa’s most devleoped city.

Enough

Today I was jamming out to Chris Tomlin while driving. My heart was struck and captured with these very familiar words I have song time and time again.

All of You is more than enough for all of me, for every thirst and every need. You satisfy me with your love and all I have in you is more than enough.

More then all I want. More than all I need. You are more than enough for me. More then all I know. More than all I see. You are more than enough.

God, my heart will trust and choose to believe today that YOU are more than enough in everything and in everyway.

Friday Favorites; right

I came across a verse this week in my quiet times that I have been pondering ever since.

Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the cause of the widow. Isaiah 1:17

I love this definition of right. It’s so simple yet so demanding and such a high calling. I’m honored and privilege that God has called me to live right and enables me to seek justice and encourage the oppressed by the power, strength and grace of His Holy Spirit. What an exciting life we live and journey God leads us on as His children!

Happy Birthday Month Michelle!

My cousin Michelle loves her birthday. While I was in San Diego last month I found her a little birthday countdown chalk board. She doesn’t need any reminders, help or reinforcement of the countdown to her birthday but I knew she would love it. She was ecstatic when I gave her the early birthday gift. Anways she turned 20 a week ago. She is an amazing, gifted, delightful person. I love her and am blessed to have her as part of my family and as a great friend. There is much reason to celebrate her life all month of January! I’m so pround of you Michelle! Happy Michelle month!

Aunt Becky

While Brooke was in South Africa I got to feel “junior” kick. It was so amazing and filled my heart with joy. I can’t wait to meet this percious baby boy, only four more months! He is already stubborn. We were watching TV and the baby was kicking and jumping all around; we decided he already likes cholocate cake just like his mom! As soon as I put my hand on Brooke’s stomach he stopped. So I was patient and waiting and waiting for him to move at last he did. I can’t wait to hear this little one cry and one day say Aunt Becky.