Are you planning a trip to Peru?

No, well if you are apart of ECHO))), Northside Baptist Church, or apart of ONE Student Ministries then I hope you'd consider going. As a church we are putting together our first foreign mission trip to Peru with        .  However, I am actually traveling to Lima to meet Smith, our Compassion child, and I must say I have never been so nervous to meet a nine year old.  If you have never considered sponsor a child I want to take the time out to encourage you to do so today. God tells us to care for the widows, child and orphans. We are to love the least of these. You can pray about it all you want, but you can't run from the fact that God commands it of us, and He's already answered the prayer for you.

I am my husbands guinea pig in this travel because I have to get the information for my trip in September, it is helping him figure out what we need to get roughly 10+ people to go.

So... here we go on some basics about traveling to Peru:

1) US Passport- this roughly $135.00 along with filling out information about yourself and your parents  (weird, right?, but not your spouse)

2) Visa- No visa is required to enter Peru unless you will be there for longer than 130 days.

3) Immunizations & Vaccines- long story short nothing in "required" to enter Peru, only things that are "highly recommend." LONG STORY: If you want indepth information this is the place to go: International Travel Immunizations and call an initial visit is $55.00 which gives you an hour with a nurse to talk about what vaccines to get and an itinerary. They were very helpful answering my questions and giving me honest options (this is speaking for the Sarasota branch). The difference with going to clinic offered here verses say the Health Department is that each clinic has these vaccines available on hand, where the Health Department has to order the vaccines and you have to wait... and wait... They have to order these things in bulk so they have to have enough people NEED them. So, you maybe waiting for a lllooonnnggg time. Now, they did say that it takes 4-6 weeks, but if the demand is not there you may be out of luck.
LONGER STORY: So, going to the clinic specifically for international traveling will save you some time. Now... what do you NEED? Well, lucky for you if you went to public school OR you parents made sure you got your immunizations and vaccines on time then you should be good to go. It is recommended that you have: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Polio, Tetanus, Hep A, Hep B, and influenza. Those are immunizations you have to have to school and things like that. However, how about actual international travel, well that varies from country to country.
LONGEST STORY: Peru is a country that doesn't "require" anything, but they do have things they suggest for your trip. Yellow Fever (highly recommended, get at least 1 week before travel), this is something that almost every other country deems REQUIRED, but Peru seems to not have an epidemic so it is not required. If you are traveling into elevation higher than 2000 then it is something you SHOULD do! Lima is not a place that it is asked for, but I will be getting it since our trip with the church will be in those elevations. This vaccine is good for 10 years and at the International Travel Clinic cost $138.00. Typhoid Fever and Rabies are recommended, but not as much. These are asked to be done if you plan to be in the forests and staying outdoors for lodging. Typhoid vaccine is $95.00, and Rabies takes 3 injections and cost $299.00 for each injection. The last thing is Malaria, and this is nothing more than your doctor giving you a prescription for it. This is for elevation of 3000 or more. For more information you can go to CDC site.



4) Luggage- I haven't gotten to the packing, yet. Now, if I could recommend a bag it would be Ogio. You can check out their website, but you will get sticker shock, hence me linking up the ebay price, first. Let me just say that when I first saw this bag I knew I needed it for my trip. We had the concert for Manafest and Chris Greenwood uses Ogio for all travel bags. Why do I love this bag? 1) lifetime warranty 2) durable 3) convenient handles to haul off and on the conveyor belt in airports 4) I can pack two adults for one week in this bag including all clothes, shoes, and toiletries. After our trip to NYC, I learned pack in one bag if you can help it!!! Trust me on this one!!! When you visit your cousin in NYC, and you don't take cabs and you walk to where you gotta go (which is over 10m away) don't take two large bags on rollers and two small bags to put on top. Painful! Frustrating! ONE BAG! I love this bag!

5) Clothing- Peru is on the other side of the Equator. What does that mean for those of you that have no idea what that means? The seasons are opposite from ours. Peru's coldest month is August, which would lead to February being the hottest. So, keep that in mind when you pack. If you aren't high in elevation you could probably get by with some jeans and long sleeve shirt, but if you go up in elevation bring your coat! It will be rather chilly during my visit in September, but I could use some cold weather after these 100+ degree weather in FL.

6) Travel- Your flight will be roughly 6 hours, and will be leaving from Miami, FL (if you live here). Whatever meal you are closest to on your flight you will be given on the plane. I get to experience dinner (to Peru) and breakfast (home). The meals are pretty tasty... or they were eight years ago when Reson and I went to Jamaica on our honeymoon and were given lunch.

I think this about covers it. Stay tuned because I will be posting again on an awesome vision that a man has for Chincha, Peru. It is a vision I share, and I really hope that Reson and I can be highly involved in this!

Yes, I'm considering being a resident of Peru... Reson just has to figure out how to make me come home. =D

Sitting back and observing

I think it's safe to say that along with action, there comes a point as a minister's wife that you learn to sit back and observe what's going on around you. If you don't do this occasionally you will sooner or later let what's going on around you consume your very presence. You say, no?!

There is more and more conformity to this world. There are extreme cases that hit people like a ton of bricks. You have the mother that everyone says killed her baby, yet a jury finds her not guilty, or the case where a Florida teen kills his parents to death with a hammer. **WARNING** The article on the teen boy is very detailed. If you are tender-hearted do not read it.

I sit back, and then something hits a bit closer to home. Yes, closer than my actual home state, but hearing of adultery happening in homes of ministers. It hits hard.

We wonder, "How can this happen?"

"How can a mother kill her daughter?"

"How can she be found not guilty, MURDERER!"

"Why?" as the mother sees her son rearing back to hit her with a hammer...

"I thought they were Christians? Bunch of hypocrites!"

I sit back observe. 

 I look at the legality behind it all. 

I'm a researcher, I investigate. 

People's moral compass goes haywire. "We hate baby killers!" hmmm... Do you? We legalize abortions like it's a hobby to pass the time. "We hate murderers!" hmmm... Do you? We hate those that cause pain and hurt to others. "We hate lying Christians!" hmmm... Do you? As just minutes ago you asked for their prayers.

Our sins are fine when in the dark, but when the same sin is exposed by others we believe to be better than that person.

Am I capable of murder?
Am I capable of adultery?

Sadly, yes...

However, I go into this capability with my armor on. I am on guard. Satan knows my weaknesses. He knows what can get me to stop thinking about my sole purpose in life, which is to worship and serve my Father. There is a reason that the Bible calls him a wolf in sheep's clothing. He lingers; he hides; he makes everything around you seem normal...

and then...

HE ATTACKS!!!

HE FIGHTS!

HE'S GAINED GROUND... AND.... AND.... and....

Does he win?  Does he lose?

Whether in private or in broad day light does he win or does he lose?

I sit back, observe, I remember that the stereotypical vision of Satan as red horned evil looking man is really capable of morphing into anyone's sultry cougar, or anyone's sensual horse riding knight, or the idea that the story of life is all about YOU... ME!

Of course there is one catch to all this... are you awake? I'm not talking about "Yes, I'm reading this. Yes, I got of bed." No, not that awake.

Are you awake? Do you have the Holy Spirit indwelling in your being? He is apart of you and you are apart of Him... Do you mourn when you sin against Him? Do you feel sickened to your lies, your foolishness?

If not, then I guess you would have NO idea where this post is going. If you don't think you are capable of these "extreme" sins you should be full of trepidation for yourself. If you think you can handle any situation on your own... be ready!

Aislynn alone is capable of anything her sinful human flesh wants her to be capable of. However, Aislynn with the Holy Spirit are on guard to fight these capabilities. Will she stumble? Yes. Will she mourn? Yes. Will she fight back with the strength of a lion? You betcha!

I sit back, and observe because at any moment he's waiting... he's wanting to chip away at you... he's waiting for you to cave in patience, in love, in obedience, in faith and sometimes he uses the continuous scream of child to set you off...

"Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it's God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Philippians 2:12-13

Anonymous- here ya go

I am not sure who the writer was, but they have been waiting for me to write another post.

Roughly four days ago, we got back from our camp with Student Life; I want to start off talking about why I recommend this camp before telling about my thoughts over the week.

1) Truth. The camp is about truth. The Bible studies even to you through out the week are not some feel good lessons about people today that you should look up. No. Their lessons are based solely on scripture and the men and women who are just like you that follow the will of God.

2) Seclusion. We see our ECHO))) group every Wednesday and Sunday (Night), but here we have them for 5 days. Night, day, us, them, Bible, worship, truth. The setting of the sole purpose to worship God is rejuvenating and an experience that is never forgotten.

3) Staff. The people that work for SL are awake with the Holy Spirit. The students that are working for them care about what SL stands for. Graham Hill is a wonderful Camp Director that thrives to not only help the Family Group Leaders teach a Bible driven message in Bible Studies, but a wonderful peer to youth pastors (more on this later). We have had the pleasure of having Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin as speaker and worship leader... need I say more. I will also say that I am a fan of the founder of SL, Randy Hall. Reson and I had the pleasure of meeting him this year at the Youth Summit. It was great getting to tell him how much we appreciated the work he has put into a ministry we believe in. He loves Christ!

4) Statement. They have a strong mission in Student Life and that is "Helping Teenagers KNOW CHRIST through HIS WORD." It's not about the gimmicks or what they can sell. No. It's about the Word of God and making sure our youth are learning it, are understanding it, and are living it.

5) Missions. They are HUGE supporters of Compassion International. They believe in it. They don't make money off supporting this wonderful mission, but they know CI does what they say they will do. They help those in poverty gain hope; they help the widows; they support the orphans. Really, I can't think of a better mission to support. (More on this later) By the way... have you sponsored your CI child yet? It will change you!

So, those are my plugs for Student Life.

Oh wait there is one more:

7) Community. They believe in other camps. They want other camps to thrive. On our last day of camp Graham led us in prayer for the two other camps that would be in the same building we were in. Our chair would soon be taken by other students that needed awakening, and we prayed for them! How awesome is that?! It's not about what SL is doing. It's about what the Holy Spirit, God our Father is doing. How awesome is that?!

Well, now I'm done with that, but there is a warning what I will say changed in my heart over this week may just be a big gigantic plug because really God is blessing this ministry.

Day 1: 

“Worship is like breathing: you’re created to do it all the time. It’s a lifestyle”

—Joseph L. Garlington

Louie did something I had never experienced before, and it is certainly something I never want to forget.  After Chris finishes his worship through song, Louie will usually continue worship through the reading of scripture, but he didn't instead he called a prayer meeting. I'm not talking a prayer meeting were you stand/sit in a circle, hold hands, and you prayer silently to yourself while someone else leads the prayer. No...
I'm not talking about that. I'm talking Louie had over 100 teenagers that were leaders in their youth groups come down in front of 6,700 people and pray for their peers. I'm talking about students just like the ones that my husband and I teach at church. High schoolers... junior high schoolers... 12 year olds, 16 year olds, 19 year olds, falling to their knees praying out loud for the Holy Spirit to fall down on their friends and on students they have never even laid eyes. It was one of the most powerful things I have ever seen. Louie never spoke a word other than encouragement of prayer. There was a genuine rawness to these students that I am not so sure I had it (no, I'm sure I didn't). Thought I would like to think that I was, I never was THAT raw. 
This went on for the rest of the worship time as Chris continued to sing "Spirit Fall:"


It.... was.... I want to say powerful, but really it just doesn't begin to touch it. Powerful seems like a weak term when something so magnificent happened. It was God coming down, and His presence through the Holy Spirit convicting everything inside your being. Have you ever felt wrong about everything you have ever done or stood for and standing next to the one Sovereign God? This is as close as it's going to get until that judgment day happens. The audible prayers of students praying scripture back to their Maker... beyond anything I have experienced. As one of our students shared, it's a small part of what Heaven will be like. I could go on about this first Day I really could, but I know that there is nothing I can write that would make you understand this unless you were there.


Our human heart wants to be devoted to something. The Holy Spirit comes as a means to magnify the Son who lifts up His Father in praise. 


Day 2:

"The greatest moment in life is when you are spiritually alive!"

Louie Giglio

This was a day of three Bible times, and I'm sitting here thinking this will be the longest post ever! The day began with a Bible Study time with Graham for the adults. As the theme of camp being DEVOTED, we looked at men that were devoted to Christ. We aren't talking about praying before bed and each meal, and going to church on Sunday and Wednesday. We are talking men that lived in Him every moment of their existence, Saul. Back when Myspace was the place to be, I put that I wanted to meet Paul. I still do, and this day reflecting on him made it more so. The scripture was Acts 9:1-31, but I'm just going to post 1-16:

¹But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" ⁵And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ⁶But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." ⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. ¹⁰Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." ¹¹And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, ¹²and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." ¹³But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your ¹⁴And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."  ¹⁵But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  ¹⁶For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."

This is some powerful stuff. A man who killed people for believing in God in Jesus as the Son of God was now proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord. Only His will is perfect. This is a great story to really understand that only God can change the heart of man, and that we as man have no idea what His will has in store for us. I am going to say it, there is hope for those that murder (yes, this includes a mom that was found not guilty by a jury), there is hope for those that hurt others (yes, this includes a husband and wife that held a girl captive for 18 years), the hope is in Christ, and His will gives hope to those humans believe are hopeless. It's hard for us to comprehend, but if it be the will of God may He be magnified through it. Saul saw it through that Stephen was stoned to death. He was making sure that many others would die, too. Yet, through God Saul had hope, and he became a servant of the Lord and suffered for it. He was a chosen instrument of the Lord. 

Louie spoke on our conformity to the world. How we hang our worth on what our parents, friends, and strangers say about us. For that sole purpose, we are to ONLY be imitators of God. Ephesians 5:1-2, which just so happens to be ECHO))) motto.  "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."We are to imitate Him, we are to walk in love, and we are to be in the light! If you aren't awake then you CANNOT be His imitator.  In verse 14, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." He is the healer, restorer, and His is truth! Have thanksgiving, be reverent, and do not fill your time with foolishness. Surrender your life to His call!

The evening service was incredible. Louie is a fan of the universe, the stars, the galaxies. He focused on the scripture

Psalm 148

Praise the Name of the LORD

 ¹Praise the LORD!Praise the LORD from the heavens;
   praise him in the heights!
²Praise him, all his angels;
   praise him, all his hosts!

 ³Praise him, sun and moon,
   praise him, all you shining stars!
⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens,
   and you waters above the heavens!

 ⁵Let them praise the name of the LORD!
   For he commanded and they were created.
⁶ And he established them forever and ever;
   he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

 ⁷Praise the LORD from the earth,
   you great sea creatures and all deeps,
⁸ fire and hail, snow and mist,
    stormy wind fulfilling his word!

 ⁹Mountains and all hills,
   fruit trees and all cedars!
¹⁰ Beasts and all livestock,
    creeping things and flying birds!

 ¹¹Kings of the earth and all peoples,
    princes and all rulers of the earth!
¹² Young men and maidens together,
    old men and children!

 ¹³Let them praise the name of the LORD,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his majesty is above earth and heaven.
¹⁴ He has raised up a horn for his people,
   praise for all his saints,
   for the people of Israel who are near to him.
   Praise the LORD!

So, during the service he presented us with this (from another concert, same thing):



Before we even begin our praises God hears those stars, He hears the whales of the ocean, and that's not even the millions of stars in the galaxies, or the millions of creatures and living things on the earth, and that is not even the millions of Christ followers from China, Russia, or Iraq. HOLY COW! If that doesn't stir something in your heart I don't know what to tell you, you aren't awake! His name alone will be exalted and raised in praise!


Day 3:

 ^"18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." ²⁰Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. ²²Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him."

This is the beginning text of what we talked about on Day 3. However, we focused on the devotion of Peter. The disciple that denied Jesus three times even though he swore he would not. The disciple that would later get a chance to proclaim his love for Jesus three times when Jesus resurrected. The disciple that died for the one thing he believed in. The passage that got to me the most was John 21:15-19. Tears streamed down my face as I read Jesus forgiving Peter three times for his three denials. Peter saying, "Lord, you know EVERYTHING; you know that I love you" is a proclamation of Lord, you know I screwed up, but you also know I love you. Peter had faith in that, and in the end of verse 19 Jesus says, "Follow me." Peter did. He proclaimed his following at Pentecost, and to his death. Peter was devoted!


The morning service was telling of the thread that runs through the story of Christ. There are two questions to ask yourself:

1) What do you want to with you life?

2) What does God want to do with God's life?

The second question is bigger than what the first one is, and are we ready to ask that in our self centered lives. Think about it! It's not asking, "What does God want to do with your life?" NO! It's what is God's plan for His life. 
  - all people to be told the Word (Gen 12:1-3)
  - all nations will exalt Him (Ps 46:10-11)
  - all nations will worship Him (Ps 86:8-9)
  - His Son would die for all nations (John 3:16)
  - all nations be made disciples (Matt 28)
  - be witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:7)
  - all is from God- reconcile the world (2 Cor 5:18-19)
  - He would ransom every tribe, nation, all people (Rev 5:9)
He gives us a the first promise to the last praise, and He has a thread through the story of Him. He will complete the story with or with out you!!!


The story is already happening, and it takes the pressure off of us to think that we need to make one because it's not about us! God will let you have the little of story you if you want it, but it will end with "The End." He is giving us chance to be apart of the bigger story that has no ending. There are dark days in life even in God's story. Look at His Son's death!

Luke 23:26-43


The thief that recognizes Jesus as God comes to reality that Jesus did nothing wrong, and that the bigger reality is that in just a few hours he would be dead, and HE GOT IT! God revealed himself to the thief, and he did not ask Jesus for help, but instead asked for his grace and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He knew the reality because of GOD! His worst day became his best day because he would spend eternity in Heaven with Christ. The sun failed that day as Jesus died. Jesus knows what the darkness feels like because He experienced it! The temple tore in two because that curtain that was separating us from God the Father was now torn and Jesus stands in front of us as a covering of love so that we CAN be in the presence of God.  

**God is bigger and working on this broken world.  

He may give man free choice, but He never loses control!**

Day 4:

"If you want to hear the audible voice of God, read scripture out loud." 

-Mitch Landress (but also by Graham Hill at camp)

The devoted men of Christ saw Christ, knew His direct teachings, they saw His death, and they studied the scriptures from the Old Testament. In Acts 2:42-47, The LORD added to the number of those having the revelation of God. To be devoted means living in His light! 2 Timothy 1:1-14 speaks of our suffering for God because Jesus abolished the law of man. From the flame of God we got the Holy Spirit that gives us power, love, and self control. Paul mentors Timothy and reminds him to share in suffering, guard the spirit as it was entrusted to you, and that to stay in the word. Only 8% of high schoolers raised in church stay Christians into adulthood, and the reason? Because they had mentorship like Timothy had in Paul. Suffering comes from being an instrument of Christ, and being a teacher for His story. When we follow Him we know we must guard our hearts for the enemy is ready to attack!

WORSHIP IS A THREE "DOOR EVENT"

1) The front door of the church worship.

     - it doesn't mean a thing

     - they never worship when they're there

     - the heart and soul is somewhere else

2) The door of Jesus (Hebrews 13:15)

     - you have to come to door two, come in, and that is the real door to worhip

     - people can't worship when they don't know Christ because they feel condemned

     - we want to worship before we even get to the church

     - there is a sacrifice of praise continually *God is pleased with this sacrifice*

3) The door we leave His place and go to the world that He loves

     - we must sacrifice through not only praise, but through the works to help His people

     - take Christ out with you into the world as worship and share the love of God

Our last service of the week was about not taking our knowledge of God for granted. When we don't take action for our mistakes will leave us with the greatest regret! We need fuel to keep us working Him, we need GLEE!

In the unending ending is great sorrow because no one can revote, it is DONE, FOREVER! This is not Rob Bell's Heaven and non Hell. This is the Bible's hell. There is no revoting. There is no sorry God, I come to you now. NO! God wanted us to know how the story would end because He gave the ending for John to write. This letter was written for us. 

**Reverence is a requirement, but it does not mean silence**

Revelation 21

G - have God at the center of it all 

      - if you keep you at the center you will have no joy

      - you're there, but there is nothing to celebrate

L - have Love for the thread

      - you will not have flee if you don't have love for the world and the nations

E - Exchange the life for truth

      - Romans 1- they forsook the glory of God for their gain

      - they chose God as nothing and self for everything

      - you won't except the norm of the culture

E- Endure the suffering until the end

      - you have to overcome this because with it comes sitting with God at the throne

      - those that gave up will be and in hell

Day 5:

"Fight the Good Fight of Faith"

- The Apostle Paul

1 Timothy 6:11-16 was our final scripture for a word of endurance and encouragement in times of fighting sin and the world.

Everything that I have written here are the things that really touched me. However, there is one things that I have not mentioned and that is my change in my prayer life. Not only on the first night did I experience seeing the students pray, but each night following I went with Reson to the Youth Leaders meetings. Those meetings change my heart in a way that I was expecting. These men and women all their for the sole purpose of 1) being with God, and 2) teaching students that God is the only way was such a light of encouragement for me. All of getting on our knees every night and praying for ourselves, for our students, that God would come into the place of worship lead me to tears each night. The knowing that so many were praying for us, our youth, and everyone in that center was moving. To hear Graham say that I may work for Student Life, but even if I didn't I'm here for you! I have seen a rapid change in my prayer life, and the worship of prayer of one of great power. I am full of great thanksgiving for this change in my heart. Tomorrow, I will write about how my heart changed even more for the work that Compassion does. 

I am a month and half away from meeting our precious Smith!

Sometimes...

Meditation in song...

Sometimes every one of us feels
Like we’ll never be healed
Sometimes
Sometimes every one of us aches
Like we’ll never be saved
Sometimes

When we’ve given up
Let Your healing come
When there’s nothing left
Let Your healing come
‘Til we’re rising up
Let Your healing come
Where You go, we will follow
Where You go, we will follow

It’s Your love that we adore
It’s like a sea without a shore
We’re lost in You, we’re lost in You
It’s Your love that we adore
It’s like a sea without a shore
We’re lost in You, we’re lost in You
Sometimes

Sometimes
It’s like we’ll never atone
For all the love we’ve known
Sometimes
Like in a smile or a song
When you feel it come
And that feeling’s gone
It flies

When we’ve given up
Let Your healing come
When there’s nothing left
Let Your healing come
Feel it rising up
Let Your healing come
Where You go, we will follow
Where You go, we will follow

It’s Your love that we adore
It’s like a sea without a shore
We’re lost in You
We’re lost in You
It’s Your love that we adore
It’s like a sea without a shore
We’re lost in You
We’re lost in You
It’s Your love that we adore
It’s like a sea without a shore
Don’t be afraid
Don’t be afraid
Just set your sail

And risk the ocean there’s only grace
Let’s risk the ocean there’s only grace
Let’s risk the ocean there’s only grace
Let’s risk the ocean there’s only grace

Written by David Crowder 

There are songs that come into your life that you will never be able to get rid of... well, there are many that are written by David Crowder that in this category. His gift of writing is... I can't even define it in one word, but that it is God given! His depth into the heart of who we are is frightening. I mean how can a human being be so spot on with our irrational emotion. I have related to each verse with hurt and pain. Verse one brought back awful memories of my life about 5 years ago. 

Shattered, broken, beyond hurt... the thought of NEVER being healed again. 

Yea, I've been there, and it's amazing I will never forget it either. 

It's fresh in my heart, in my mind... gut wrenching ache to think of it. 

But His healing came, it comes, and it comforts. 

Verse two why me? Why atone this disgusting sinner, this sorry excuse for a Christ follower? The smile appears and flies... gone...

The burning conviction killing every ounce of sinful nature. The sanctification process is beautiful brutal transition. The healing rises up into our being the same being that has the dwelling of the Holy Spirit and you follow, you set sail, you get lost in HIM! Don't be afraid! DON'T BE AFRAID! 

We try so hard to keep control, but let's risk it all, let's risk the ocean... THERE'S ONLY GRACE!!! Accept that gift... when you do RISK IT ALL -- THERE'S ONLY GRACE!!!

there's only grace

Beautiful grace, wonderful grace, undeserving grace

AMEN!

I'm sure you hear it all the time...

BUT it has to be said I DO have the best dad.

This also must be said that I know I have put my dad through alot, and I KNOW I have said some hurtful things to him. Doesn't everyone have those moments? You have been with this person for much of your life, and things are said in the heat of moments when tempers are flaring... you haven't? Well, that's great it must be a Cuban thing then. =D

My husband and I are leaving a church softball and as we are going in reverse hear a "boom." You know, one of those "I just hit something," but you clearly didn't. Uh-oh... we both knew that we had stretched out our brakes just a wee bit too long. Of course, when situations like this happens it is usually when you spend your money on a trip for your wife to go Peru. Happens all the time.

So, the next day I give my handy-dandy daddy a call describing the sound, and informing him that I knew I needed new breaks. He asks, "How do you know that?" I should have stated... "You taught me that, duh!" But I didn't. I stated the squeaking sound that they have been delivering. His response, "Okay well, it should just be the breaks then I will call you back." This was a better response than the darling husband of mine that said it sounded like something with the transmission (YIKES)!

Within minutes he calls back, "Well, Mr. Mechanic Man thinks it is just the breaks and possibly a WYE joint. He will be by your house to check it out." Sure enough, the great Mr. Mechanic Man came by check under the car. VERDICT: No WYE joint, just awful back brakes and routers. Minutes later: Dad hops out of his Roll-Off Truck arriving with the set of brake pads and routers. Seriously! *tear*

Rewind a few days later Mom knocks on our door and explains, "I thought I would drop by and talk to you and the boys while your dad mows your lawn." Seriously! *tear*

I would like to bring the focus on that this is the same man who had a quadruple bypass just months ago. However, this is the same man that made sure that by the age of 16: I knew how to change a flat tire, drive a manual (stick-shift) vehicle,  change my oil, and not to mention taught me about 3-4 years prior the steps to building a house. I'm almost certain that my parents would have done a far better job homeschooling than what they would say. My dad would say no because he has reading difficulties, and yet he still will read manuals, rules, credit card fine prints. I can hang dry wall, tape it, clay it up (whatever).

You see where I'm going with this. He got me the things for my car and mowed my lawn highly knowing I was capable of doing it myself; he taught me that stuff. If I were never married my dad taught me to be able to be dependent on my own wits to not rely on a man. Now, I do rely on my husband, but out of desire to be a Godly submissive wife.

My dad was not one to change diapers or do the cuddling when we were babes, but he was the balance to my mom. He loved us in a way that he would not let me just sit around and not take care of myself.  However, it is not always about that is it. He is the head of his household. He raised adults with problems, but problems that could be fought and taken care of. If and when he is around he takes care of it. Back aching, chest cut open, ribs broken there he is.

Provider, sustainer, protector of his family even when the silly sixth grader makes a problem even bigger when she uses just the right wording to make a teacher seem worse than he or she actually are. Yep...

Or when he uses this vacations to help his sister-in-law finish her basement, or when he leaves a vacation early to help his children move back home unexpectedly. Scotty Smith said (paraphrasing) A sign in grace is showing that you can drop what you are doing to help those around you. You have no set schedule when it comes to helping. Dad, you have done that for most of your life, haven't you?

One phone call and you can be gone in seconds. I have that trait, and sometimes it is hasty, but those are the times that people remember. It may have an outcome of great, but you were there to hear it with those that you rushed to.

Yet, I will say that the best things about my dad is that even if he says this ridiculous statement, "I may not always be right, but I am never wrong." I know deep down he doesn't believe it because he knows all too well the Sovereignty of God's grace and mercy, don't you?

He doesn't usually apologize, but you see it in his actions later. And just as I thought he would wouldn't eat fish and veggies. There he goes. He is a man who is submissive to what God calls upon him to do in life, and even as simple as his food choice. You see the best dad is not one that you get along with the most or who plays with you all the time or even gives you everything you want. No, having the best is knowing your dad has faults and works on himself, teaches you to be an adult that is not reliable, shows through example how to be a Christ Follower.

Thanks Dad! I love you.

PS- I need a new picture because that guy up there has lost more than 70lbs since his surgery. WHAT!?

Compassion Trip Peru 2011: Prep

So, the payment has been made, luggage here, passport ordered (waiting for it to get to my home), and now to figure out my immunization shots. 103 days and counting until I board the plane to Peru.

Random thoughts:

• I'm going alone with a group of people I have never met. As I filled out the registration form it was a tad bit sad to not be able to put Reson's name with mine. 
• I am leaving my boys for seven days without wife and mommy.
• There is that nervous excitement in it all.
• This is going to be a great trip.

Right now the Compassion crew is in the Philippines.

I would encourage you to check out the blogs being written so that you can pray and encourage the team that is there now...

The Aroma of Christ

Do you smell that? It's a very distinct scent. I breathe it in, and right away I know that I can sit and relax.

The conversations are usually lite, and no need to get deep... or is there a need?

Yes, I'm sitting in the salon cutting my hair off. I return to get some color.

It was in that second visit that I was told something that upset me.  "I would have never thought you to be the person you are. You seemed to be someone that would be caught dancing on tables, but after getting to know you, you really love God." (Paraphrasing for memory sake)

Do get me wrong would that have upset me a year ago, or even nine months ago? I'll be honest, probably not. At least after getting to know me she knew what I stood for... right?

For most, this would be a compliment because after discussion I have a stance, but what about the times that discussion isn't an option?

What is your aroma?

I want to be drowned in HIS smell. I want my very presence to pour out HIS goodness. I want HIS glory to shine through my being. I am not there, but each day grows with me soaking in HIS truth into my brokenness.

You see it is not enough to just have someone know who you are after a talk, but that the moment you walk into a place it is sensed that you are different. Even if they can't put their finger on that, they KNOW she has something I want.

How do I get it?

What is it?



Examine your aroma.

The opening of your eyes to see yourself with accuracy is 

one of the long-term projects of transforming grace.

-Paul Tripp

What do you see? 

What do you smell?

I pray that this long-term project creates a woman after God's own image.  As Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica, 

²³Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 

Lord, sanctify my being that I may be completely whole. May I be faithful and blameless. Build me up so that my aroma surrounds those around me that they know I live only for YOU.   

A sign you're growing in grace: You're learning to invest your vapor-like existence in things that will last forever.

-Scotty Smith