Spring Rains

I leave for Mozambique in less than a week. It's been raining excessively, and it makes me so peaceful. Tonight, I read and listen to the sound of rain, thunder and Fleet Foxes. Life is good.

The Robinsons

My church (Antioch Community Church Norman) has a training school called Equip. It's an incredible 10 months of well.. equipping one for a life of ministry. This year a couple with three kids decided to join. They asked me to babysit and I have had SO MUCH FUN getting to know these kids. Seriously, Monday is one of my favorite nights of the week. I love these kids with my whole stinkin' heart. I thought I'd share some of my pictures with them!


Jade and I at her 2nd grade program.


Noah wanted in on the fun hahaha


Jade giving a testimony at church with her mom about how she led someone to Christ during recess at school


Noah at his "Shark Attack" soccer game


Noah and his blue mouthwash


Carving pumpkins = )

Praise Him

I had a beautiful Thanksgiving yesterday. I wanted to take a moment to list many things I'm thankful for- not just today but eternally. Praise be to Him...

1. I'm thankful for the love of God that goes on and on, overwhelming my soul
2. I'm thankful for family that wants to see me find life abundantly
3. I'm thankful for roommates who are always willing to let me vent, hold me while I cry, pray together before bed, and dance- whether its to Kanye or a worship song
4. I'm thankful for old friends whose friendship only grows deeper as the years go on.
5. I'm thankful for new friends who make my life more exciting, teach me new things and bless me daily
6. I'm thankful for my lifegroup that always supports and loves me
7. I'm thankful for my pastor and the other leadership of Antioch
8. I'm thankful for the Robinsons and the time I get to spend with them every Monday
9. I'm thankful for children
10. I'm thankful for the times when I've wanted to give up
11. I'm thankful for hopeless nights
12. I'm thankful for those nights when God met me in my brokenness and spoke hope over me
13. I'm thankful for Ashley who disciples me
14. I'm thankful for Rachel for helping lead me to freedom in Christ
15. I'm thankful for ballet
16. I'm thankful for the work of the Spirit in Norman, at OU, and all around the world
17. I'm thankful for robins
18. I'm thankful for my trip to India
19. I'm thankful that my heart has been broken
20. I'm thankful that I've been restored
21. I'm thankful that I now have a greater capacity to love and empathize
22. I'm thankful for those who are forging new paths in new places for the sake of Christ
23. I'm thankful for my sister who I see growing into a woman of God
24. I'm thankful for my camera
25. I'm thankful for tears
26. I'm thankful for laughter
27. I'm thankful for people who have helped me reach the place I am today- mentors, pastors, teachers and those who led by example
28. I'm thankful for new opportunities
29. I'm thankful to be surrounded by people who I love and who love me- So much more than I deserve
30. I'm thankful for my identity in Christ. I am a new creation. The old is gone. I am loved. I am worthy. I am worth it. No one else can love Him like I can. I am unique. I am called. I am gifted. I am beautiful. I have a mothers heart. I am faithful. I am pure. I can be only good. I carry the presence. I am a light. I am radiant. I'm a steamboat : ) I am loved. I'm a daughter. I capture the Kings heart. HE LOVES ME!!

Praise Him forevermore for HE IS GOOD.
He makes all things work together for good.
He makes everything beautiful in time.
He doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
Every good and perfect gift comes from Him
PRAISE HIM

Stress and Blessings

Sometimes I've overwhelmed with where I'm heading... Not that I really know where that is BUT let me explain... So many days I miss being a child. The stress level was so low! I think about how I would spend Saturdays (or really everyday) playing computer games, reading, living in one of my imaginary worlds (I still live in some of them when I'm just in need of some good ole imagination), or playing with my toys. How relaxing does that sound?? Breakfast, lunch and dinner was always provided. You got recess. Man, what the life!! I think about how stressful life seems sometimes... Like right now when I'm enrolled in 19 hours, working around 15 hours a week, and trying to spend as much time with my family (both biological and Church) as possible. And then I think about how life is only going to get MORE stressful. That's a scary thought!! Then I stop... And realize that God gives us just what we need whenever we need it. He gives us strength for each day. He gives us friends who help to carry our burdens. He gives us mentors to help guide us. HE GIVES US HIS PRESENCE. He gives us moments of laughter. Peaceful rains. HE GIVES REST FOR THE WEARY. Mmm I'm so blessed by Him. I'm blessed to get to attend the school I do. I'm blessed with a family who loves me. I'm blessed with two amazing roommates. I'm blessed with more friends than I deserve. I'm blessed with a major that's perfect for me. I'm blessed to work with children who show me the love and heart and power of God. I'm blessed to be on this journey with Him... Living in this unbelievable love story. He leads me with cords of kindness (Hosea 11). He's so good. Blessings to anyone who reads this!!

Laughter

Tonight I was overwhelmed by how much God has poured His laughter over me this week. I was eating dinner with the lovely Lindsay Rae Robinson at Iron Starr BBQ in OKC when it hit me-- it was the second time this week I had found myself in that restaurant laughing until tears were pouring down my cheeks. I really don't have much to say about that other than, thank you Jesus! Thank you for friends who I can live in joy with! Thank you for meals that fill my mouth with laughter and cause my heart to overflow. You are GOOD!

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting." Job 8:21

"Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2

"And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” Genesis 21:6

May everyone see my life and laugh at how God has so taken care of me! What was foolish to the world He has transformed! May it only point to Him!!