Currently Listening Redemption's Son By Joseph Arthur see related

- Honey and the Moon

Mexico-ten days of traveling, family, old friends, new friends, beautiful places, beautiful people, soaking in the absolute goodness of God. My family and Sara traveled by plane to San Diego, and along the Baja Peninsula in our trusty rent-a-van to arrive in Vincente Guerra, one of my favorite places on earth. We spent our time there working at this AMAZING mission called Foundation For His Ministry. What started as only an orphanage now also includes doctors and dentists offices, the only fire house in the town, a television station, church, feeding ministry, outreaches to the local migrant camps, and a million other things. If you have a chance you should look it up online, the story behind the place is amazing. It is a fully functioning daily miracle to say the least. And if you have even more time, you should visit this place, it is full of the freedom and joy of God and will change you forever.

So much of me wanted to stay in Mexico at the mission and leave all the stresses and unnecessary things of everyday life at home behind me. Yet, while there, I realized the necessity of living for the day, no matter where your day is. There is so much that can be taken in throughout a day, so much air to be breathed into our lungs, so much to be seen with our eyes, and felt in our spirits. How vital it is to realize the gift of a single moment, and pour ourselves into whatever lays at our feet, no matter how much we long to run away from it at times. Even though our futures are unknown, and God could whisk us away to the ends of the earth to serve Him at any given moment, we are here now. We are alive now. We are fully capable and equipped now. We need to serve God now. We need to experience life now, and be thankful for every moment.

Congratulations to Kristen Garrison by the way! Love you

Currently Listening Eye To The Telescope By KT Tunstall see related

"The real damage is done by the millions who want to 'survive'. The honest men who just want to be left in peace. Those who don't want their little lives disturbed by anything bigger then themselves. Those with no sides and no causes. Those who won't take measure of thier own strength, for fear of antagonizing thier own weakness. Those who don't like to make waves or enemies. Those for who freedom, honor, truth, and principles are only in literature. Those who live small, mate small, die small. It's the reductionist approach to life: if you keep it small, you'll keep it under control. If you don't make any noise, the bogeyman won't find you. But it's all an illusion, because they die too, those people who roll their spirits into tiny little balls so as to be safe. Safe?! From what? Life is always on the edge of death; narrow streets lead to the same place as wide avenues, and a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does. I choose my own way to burn." -Abraham Herschel

My life (to the outside eye) may seem at times to mirror that of the "little candle"- satisfied with the small things in life, content to see a day as full just because it existed, not always striving for the next big thing, resting in the goodness of simplicity. But I thank God for igniting my soul "just like a flaming torch". For filling me with such passion to know Him, to know the truth, freedom, honor, and principle that He has created. To know that my spirit shall never whither, shall never just survive, shall never be afraid to stand for Him. What strength He gives to those who seek it. He is the fire inside me, and I believe that I can ignite others with this intense heat, even when I feel my flame it too small. We must learn to step aside, shed our pride, superior mentalities, and human-concieved ideas of God, and let God be God. Let Him work in engulfing power, through our feeble, broken shells. Life is beautiful.

Currently Reading Radical Gratitude : Discovering Joy through Everyday Thankfulness By Ms. Ellen Vaughn see related

My wonderful Grandpa is in the hospital recovering from galbladder surgery, and struggling with acidic fluid in his lungs among other things. My parents are in Oregon for a few days helping my grandma take care of him, they are currently waiting for my gramps to open his eyes and respond to anything. Please pray for him.

A few nights ago I drove the long way home from a friends house, as I felt Gods' presence and knew He was speaking to my heart. I had a true revelation of how often I sit in expectation of God's future blessings, letting myself believe that since I try to live a life worthy of His calling I should be the recipient of what I want at any moment now. While in the meantime I carelessly overlook the blessings that I do not deserve, yet that surround me constantly. I don't even know how many times I have failed to truly thank God for even one of the people in my loving family, and selfishly expected Him to give me more things that I will most likely forget to truly thank Him for also. And, the amazing thing about God is, of course, He continues to love, care for, and bless me anyway. What else is left but to constantly live in worship and thankfulness to our God, whether or not the blessings unfold, solely because He is worthy.

Also, please note that the Seattle Seahawks are playing in the Superbowl this Sunday, the first time they have been in the 40 year history of the game. You could not have paid me to be informed about the Superbowl at any given time in the past, I never had a clue who was playing or when it was even being held. Today the Seattle Mayor declared it official wear your Seahawks gear day, and, as there is a big storm brewing for this weekend that has a slight chance of knocking out some power lines, some of the crazy fans are already renting generators to keep their TVs going just in case. The whole hoopla is pretty cheesy, but there will be a parade if they win, and who can say no to a good parade, right?