His Word Does Not Return Empty!

I was just trying to come up with something to blog about today. One of my favorite sites to check is Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministries blog. It is uplifting, insightful and very funny, too.

Last year, they had a Scripture Memory Team, where you committed to memorizing a specific verse on the 1st and 15th of each month, and if you did 20 out of 24 verses, you could come to a special event Beth Moore was putting on just for this group of people. I was pumped to hear about it & also excited to start it up in 2010.

As today is January 15, I was hoping they would post more information on this, and they did. Alas, it was not what I wanted to hear! LPM isn't doing the Scripure Memory Team this year, but that doesn't mean we can't memorize it this year on our own!

So, if you would like to be a part of the 2010 Scripture Memory Fiesta (I'm open to naming this differently!), just add a comment with your verse that you would like to commmit to memory over the next two weeks. Write it out in whatever version you find can relate to best, and leave it in the comments section. This way, others can get ideas for which scriptures they might want to learn.

It doesn't have to be really long, but it could be. Just as long as we're hiding God's Word in our Hearts, I think that's a great start! (Does anyone else remember Steve Green's Hide 'em In Your Heart music? Tell me yes.)

I will leave you with this, from Isaiah 55:

10 As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 So is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

12 You will go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

will clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,

and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the LORD's renown,

for an everlasting sign,

which will not be destroyed."

Happy Friday!

ps. For the Deltas: I just loved the pine tree reference in verse 13. Made me smile.

Haiti

UPDATE: To get a very real sense of what it's like for those in Haiti, check out my Baylor Student Foundation Friend and her husband's blog. They just move there to be missionaries two weeks ago.

Ben and Katie in Haiti

Not very often do I turn on the TV to get my news. My main source of news comes as I make my way to work each morning and listen to the radio. As a Public Relations major who had to know current events for pop quizzes, I suppose it is a shame that I use only one source to get my news. But hey, at least I'm getting it.

I heard about the earthquake in Haiti yesterday, but perhaps because I hadn't seen photos or really knew much about it, I wasn't aware of the magnitude of the situation. This morning as I got ready, I prayed that I would have an urgency and also have compassion for those in Haiti. Well, the Lord answered fast.

As soon as I got to work, I looked through my typical blogs I like to check, and one after another came up about ways to donate to the relief efforts in Haiti.

Living Proof Ministries, Beth Moore's organization, has posted a list of ways to donate to the disaster relief. This is what they have written:

Compassion is already in active operation toward aid for Haiti and so is World Vision. You can also get on the official Red Cross website and give online. Go to Redcross.org then look for "donate" and choose "International Response Fund."

Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. It will be charged on your cell phone bill.

My heart goes out especially to those children sponsored by Compassion International. I have much respect for that organization and the work that it does in Jesus' name to meet the physical and spiritual needs of children and families in impoverished conditions.

Please consider donating as much or as little as you can. And of course the best thing we can do is get on our knees and pray.

How do you spell Love?

T-I-M-E.

At least that's how I spell it. On my lunch break (you know, the ones where I've already eaten, so I use them to run errands), I called my brother just to see if he was around. Lo and behold, he was! That, my friend, is a rare occurrence. (I say "friend" because today I actually have a follower. It's a big day.)

My phone informed me after we hung up that we'd talked for a full 27 minutes. That's enough time to make a Mama jealous. Perhaps I won't share that with her? (And no, this is not my phone. I got it here.)

These are just a few reasons why I love my brother:

• Once you get him going, he just talks and talks and talks. I love it.
• He's really good at making friends in all sorts of places. I remember going to the beach as a kid an he'd have five friends within two minutes.
• He's incredibly smart and well read, but he doesn't come across as a know-it-all. He just has all these random facts in his head that he pulls out whenever the time is right. It's really amazing.
• When he was home for Christmas, we had great time catching up at Chip's Hamburgers. Even though he somehow forgot to bring his wallet that day (how convenient).
• That same night, he came over for dinner and stayed for two hours to chat with me and my roomie. He even tried to build a fire. I determined that it was not the builder that was the problem, but the logs. Hey, at least he tried.

Ok, I think that's enough sappy-ness for today on here. But I just thought the world wide web would want to know.

Adios for now.

Truth: You Never Relly Stop Learning

I was reminded today that you never really stop learning. I mean, I knew that already, but it just rang true again for me. These last eight (oh my!) months since graduation, I have learned a lot about myself and about life in general.

First, I'm stronger than I thought. By the grace of God, He alone has enabled me to successfully navigate through some rough waters.

Secondly, I knew I had great friends, but MAN are they wonderful. The best kind are there for you when you need them the most and can hardly muddle through life, but there they are, checking on you, making you laugh, and taking you to get frozen yogurt five days in a row (true friends).

Thirdly, people were right when they tell you that college is the best time of your life. Granted, I haven't lived much past college yet, but those four years now have me wishing for four more, and wondering why in the heck I decided to get out of there so fast. It was a sweet time; not without strugges, but it was good. And I'm thankful for the memories. And the photos.

I'm going to lose the transitional numbers...I've never really liked them anyway. It can take a long time to find a job. Especially in this economy. But really, it all comes down to who you know. Seriously. Networking is key.

I didn't know this about myself, but I'm an extremely loyal person. I thrive on old frienships, and I value keeping in touch.

I'm pretty efficient at getting work done. I wasn't aware of this, but after working in the "real world," I can say that, I think. I love checking things off my to-do list at the office. Surprisingly getting stuff done at home isn't as easy. (See next point.)

Laundry is constant. Yes, I know we all know this, but I was just reminded of it. Seriously...it never stops. I don't know how people with families keep up with it. Crazy.

My priorities have shifted from go-go-go, to making the most of relationships and taking life at a slower pace. At first, it was rather shocking to have free time. I didn't really like it. Now, I'm learning to embrace it, because I don't know how long it will last.

Making friends takes time. Lots of time. Especially when you move and all your friends that you're closest to don't live nearby. And you have to be willing to put yourself out there and try things outside of your comfort zone. Sometimes they pay off, and sometimes they don't. But at least you tried.

Having a place of your own is quite a treat. I have really enjoyed getting settled into my new apartment.

Last week, I discovered that I like to try new things to cook. One night, I made pork loin and had leftovers, so we had stir-fry later that week. And when I didn't have time or oven space to make baked potatoes with the pork loin, I found a recipe for oven fries instead. And they were delicious!

Life will not always be perfect, but hang on to the good things--bitterness never looked good on anyone.

Suitcase packing tips!

I know it's been a while. Happy 2010! I just love the evenness of typing 2010. It's great. I hope it's going to be a wonderful year.

I spent quite a bit of 2009 traveling all over Europe, and I was excited to see the tips on Real Simple's website for how to pack a suitcase. I like to think of packing as a game, especially now that the airlines make it so complicated and expensive to check bags (except Southwest!).

So here it is: Real Simple's version of how to pack a bag. I'm all for rolling as much as you can instead of folding. It really does save so much space--more than I thought! That's how I got around Europe using a daypack backpack instead of a huge camping bag (my back couldn't have handled it, that's for sure!).

I'm not sure where my travels will take me this year--hopefully trips in Texas to visit sweet friends, and also out of state to visit, too. We shall see...

Humbled.

On Tuesday, I participated with work for an event called Feast of Sharing, put on by Central Market. They provided a Thanksgiving meal to people that typically will not have one over the holidays.

You can imagine the kind of people that came in droves that day: homeless, hungry, sick, tired and dirty. They wanted someone to listen to them. And I was most taken aback at their response when we asked how they were doing. Do you know what they said?

Blessed.

That was their response. I couldn't believe it. Here I was on the other side of the table, squirming in my chair, uncomfortable with their answer, because I was concerned about unpacking boxes at my new place and furnishing my apartment with "necessities" like a bath mat. Whoa.

It blew me away that they were so focused on their blessings. How many times do I wish things were different, so I focus on what I don't have, even though I have more than enough?

Then, I read blogs like Kelly's Korner, where Kelly and her husband are currently with Compassion International meeting children and families in El Salvador. These kids have nothing, they live in shacks out in jungles. And once again I am humbled, and I wonder what to do next.

I don't know what my response will be exactly. I am becoming more aware of hurting people that need to be shown Christ's love, and my heart aches for them. Yet here I sit.

But I also know that the Lord has put me in this spot for a reason. Here I sit at a non-profit organization, where I can minister to those around me. After all, that is where I am, currently. After many job applications and months of waiting, I work here for a reason. Not sure exactly why, yet, but here I am.

In John 15, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" and Peter says yes. Three times. After each of Peter's responses, Jesus says this:

Feed my lambs.

Take care of my sheep.

Feed my sheep.

Sheep are dumb. Smelly. Lost. In need of a Shepherd. Sounds a lot like us, huh? I know it sounds a lot like me. I am so thankful that I have Christ to be my Good Shepherd.

And if we are supposed to be more Christ-like every day, then I suppose I should try and feed some sheep, whether in an office, on the streets, or in an apartment. In the end, they are no different than me.

New Digs.

I moved on Saturday. And I'm loving it. I realized that I have not lived in a space of my very own in 10 months. January through April I was in the Netherlands studying abroad and staying in a dorm or various hostels. After graduation I moved home and have been there 'til now.

Neither one were bad experiences. In fact, there were great things about living in a dorm: I was in Europe. Hello! And living at home: free food, free rent, and a hug from Mom any time. Not too shabby. But there's something to be said about having your own place with your own stuff. Plus, I had this, and many other assorted items all in storage, just begging to be arranged:

I must confess that this is not MY actual purple couch, but I do have one. I just don't have a picture. Yet. I bought it the day I got my job. I walked into a Consignment store and found it and thought I had to have it. Perhaps one of my craziest purchaces. Ever. But I like it, and it goes well with the other stuff we have in our new a-p-t.