OutReachDay

About two weeks ago, I went to Momentum Youth Conference in Kentucky. We were there for a week and then on Saturday we headed into the towns of Kentucky to help out with tornado relief.

Our youth group was split up into different sections. Some people went to help with roofing, some tough guys went to help carry heavy things, and the rest of us headed to two houses that were being refurbished and built from the tornado.

We got there and our first task was to help tear up floor boards of a home that survived the tornado. During the storm, there had been 9 people sitting in the small hallwayof that house. Honestly, this one house was not very big at all. It was probably not even half the size of most of our houses. There was at least 25 of us in that house working like crazy. I was tearing up nails, when one of my youth leaders asked if I could take pictures for her. At that time she was installing insulation, and with my love for photography, of course I said yes!

Half of the other group was helping a family rebuild their house. So, I started walking around, taking pictures, and I started to talk to the kids from other youth groups that I didnt know. That's when I met Laura Lee. She could honestly be my other half. She's a farm girl from Michigan and she was interested in everything I was. Finally, we realized how much we were alike and called ourselves instant best friends. Here is a picture of us.

We agreed that someday one of would travel to meet eachother again. It was a pleasure to meet her and her story. And on that outreach day, God had a plan for us to share Christ with the family that lost their home, together.

Laura and I went over to talk to the man that had his home destroyed. His name was Jerry and this is his story.

"The giant storm hit and I remember waking up to my wife looking out the window. She said, "Jerry, this storm looks awful. We need to go." I continued to tell her it was going to be okay. It was my son, my wife, and I sitting in our small bedroom. Everything started shaking and I was sure that we were going to lose the roof. Turned out everything was ripped off the house except for our room that we were in. Now my mom's trailer sat right behind our house. She was  luckily not in the trailer she was sitting over at the neighbors. But she cried because her dog was in there. So after the storm I went to look for her dog. I heard it barking and I looked down and there sat the dog, perfectly fine, sitting on top of the Bible."

So, he told me to sit down a little bit and tell him why we were there and what our purpose was. I had the incredible oppurtunity to share my faith and the reason for being in the area!

To me, his story is incredible. But, I wasn't convinced that I knew what his faith was so, God told me go ahead and ask,

"This is a bit random and personal, but what exactly was your background growing up, were you christian?"

"Actually, I was raised Baptist all my life but just recently, I became a Christian. Through this storm, I had to realize that my life changed in a blink of an eye, and there was absolutley nothing I could do about it. I go day to day doing what God has planned, I really don't plan anymore, I'm living the life God wants me to live."

I was really blessed to have this oppurtunity to talk with Jerry and hear his story. To this day, Jerry and I are keeping in touch through facebook. Before I left Jerry told me this and I will never ever forget it,

"Anytime you come to Kentucky, anytime, just know that you will always have a place to stay. It doesnt matter if its for a week or a day, just come visit me."

Here are some pictures,

The Devastation:



The Building Process:

Jerry and his wife, Martha:

Praying for the Staceys as they build their new house and continue to move people through their story! Love you guys!

Going That Distance

"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." Proverbs 13:20

Lately, I've come to learn that the phrase, "You are who your friends are." may be partly true. I have learned that friends can really affect the personal relationship that you have with Christ.

What I need to do is distance myself from the friends who do not encourage me in my daily walk with Christ. This doesn't mean I let them go completely, because I still need to love them, reach out to them, and be there when they need me. I just need to create that distance, enough distance where they won't discourage me or push me further away from Christ.

This  is not going to be easy at all. I'm actually quite terrified. I'm in the situation where I''ve known this person almost my whole life. She's always there for me, but doesn't push me to have a life with Christ.

Over the past few weeks, God has made it easy on  me. He's let me just glide through, but I know pretty soon I will have to face the reality of maybe breaking the news to that person.  I ask for prayer.

It will break my heart and all I keep saying is, "I'll cross that bridge when I get there." But, I'm almost to that bridge. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that He will NEVER leave me through it all.

I keep this in mind,

"When Ruth told Naomi, "your people shall be my people," she understood that she would not be able to grow closer to the God of Israel if she remained among the Moabites...Even today there exist "Moabites" who will undermine your growth if you spend too much time with them. Sometimes mediocre Christians resist the zeal and commitment of a dedicated single woman. Realizing that one's friends drive you either toward or away from God, you may need to find a "new people" who will encourage your growth and not hinder it."

**From the book, Lady In Waiting

"Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character."  1 Corinthians 15:33

The Only One

The Alabaster Box

In the days of Jesus, women would go and buy a box and fill it completely with all kinds of ointments, creams, perfumes and such. Then, when a man wanted to marry her, a typical woman would've revealed her answer by taking that box and breaking it at his feet. And in this breaking, showed the man honor. But that wasn't the case for a sinful woman that lived in town...

"A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them." Luke 7:37-38

This woman believed Jesus was worthy. She believed that Jesus meant so much more to her than any other guy ever could.

This really hit me.

It got me thinking, What is my alabaster box filled with?

Truthfully, my box is filled with hopes and dreams for the future. I'm like every teenage girl, I enjoy to think of the future and focus on guy's attention, of course. A great husband, a successful job, a great family, A boyfriend.

A box that can only be filled by a life committed to Jesus.

I'm not going to waste anymore time trying to fill my box with a guy or hopes and dreams.

Jesus is the only one who can fulfill my needs. Jesus is the only one who loves me more than any other guy ever could. Jesus is the only person I'm going to break my alabaster box in front of.

Lord,

Help to remind me and all the other girls that need reminded, that You are the only one that can fulfill that need. You are the only one worthy enough of having the privelage of the 'breaking of our alabaster boxes'. You are the only one who loves us even when we betray You. Help me throughout the day to remember how I can spread Your love. May everything I do be to glorify You and You alone.

In Your Name,

Amen

*A picture that I took from WinterJam 2012.(NewSong)