Happy New Year's Day!

I like and enjoy New Year’s.  I get to reflect on the past and dream for the future while being in the present.  I had a very quiet holiday season this year, and it suited me very well.  I sorted through inner turmoil and have solved many of the issues.  I am no longer going to worry about people’s perceptions of me or walk around people’s feelings.  I have no idea what is going to happen in 2015, but what I do know is that my past is no longer going to keep holding me back.  I am at a great spot and am hopeful this year. 

 

A resolution is a promise to oneself.  People make resolutions all the time for New Year’s, and I’m no different.  I have never made a promise that I did not keep.  When people ask me to promise something or for a favor, I always ask what it is for before making the commitment.  I don’t make careless resolutions either...

 

I resolve to be closer to Him so that I can be closer to you.

 

I promise to face my fears.

 

I declare to be free from my past.

 

 

New Life

A couple weeks ago, I noticed my calla lily coming back to life. I feel like this flower has resembled my life this past year. I was doing okay after the breakup then the storm came in the form of a guy I dated in the spring. This led to my baptism and a renewal in faith.  

Ironically, this flower was given to me by my ex and it had died back to nothing over the summer. It was a fruitless summer as I personally struggled to find value and purpose in my life. I was just going through the motions in life. Work...food...sleep...an occasional workout. It was hard to be social. To be honest, I still wonder what my purpose is, even though I know what my different groups of friends would say. My Christian friends would say it's to share the Gospel. Spiritual but non-religious friends would probably say it's to show the Word through action. And my non-spiritual, non-religious friends would go with - you need to find something that you enjoy and strive for it. I've always wanted to inspire people. What better way to do that than defeat this weight issue.

When I pruned the calla lily in the early part of August, I noticed that it was hanging onto life by a thread. Similar to how I felt. I put the calla lily closer to a window (nutrition) and gave it some water. Nutrition and water sustain life. And God is called "living water" multiple times in the bible. It's not a coincidence. Remembering the weight loss I had five years ago, when I focused on myself, the more friends I had. I was also more giving. I'm heading back to that spot.

The song that has helped me over this past week is called "Who You Are" by Unspoken. I'll try to remember to post the video when I get home. Part of the song is "you can change who you are at the foot of the cross."

Playing the Victim

After some considerable thought, I made a realization about why I keep procrastinating major life events. For both my dissertation and healthy living/losing weight, I think that deep down, I like playing the victim. I like the attention. It gives people a conversation starter with me. 

As soon as I determine not to be a victim anymore, the enemy always finds a way to attack. I just injured my calf/knee again after a day at bootcamp. Almost every three days, it either gives out or gets reaggravated. So I'm trying to work through it, but feel defeated.

I am slowly reintegrating myself into society. After talking with a friend, I realized that I place other people's burdens on me rather than giving it to God. Perhaps this will strengthen my relationship with God and I'll no longer choose to withdraw from the community that surrounds me. The fear of rejection is huge after a specific college experience I had. It's time to forgive and move on.

First Sunday - Crazy, Hairy, Bold Prayer (Love)

Lord, I pray to you that I find the man that you have intended for me to marry and spend the rest of my life with. I pray that not only am I loved, but to love as your son loved. As I learned last night, I want to forget my past heartaches through forgiveness of those who have pretended to love me and have my best interests at hand. It is only through you and the strength that you give me that I can do this. I ask that you heal my heart and allow it to be open and vulnerable to those that I am close to. I ask that you strip me of all my fears. It is in your name that I pray. Amen.

First Sunday - Crazy, Hairy, Bold Prayer (Weight Loss)

The lead pastor of my church, Will Davis Jr (http://www.willdavisjr.com), is inspiring. His fearlessness is something I wish I could obtain overnight, but it takes time, dedication, obedience, and faithfulness. Will is the only man that I know who has gone public with his prayer to end the drought and fill the lakes. By public, I mean, he has done this in front of City Council and the whole city. I wish I had that confidence, but I'd be afraid that God would let me down and make a mockery of me and the religion I have chosen.

So...I'm walking out in faith. For the remainder of the year, each month, I'm going to outline one crazy, hairy, bold prayer that I'll be praying for. Sometimes I'll give it a timeline, other times, I'll let it work itself out. 

4 Take delight in The Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to The Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:4-6)

24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (John 16:24)

Therefore, the following is my prayer - 

To further your Kindom, Lord, I ask you to walk by my side in my weight loss journey. Without my health, I cannot do the work you have tasked me to do. Please give me the strength to say "yes" to life and "no" to the sins I struggle with. My faith is strong and you know the intimate details of this request.  As a first step in our journey, it is my desire to wear the dress pictured below on my birthday (March). I give you all the glory. In your name, Amen.

My walk...

This post is mainly to share a few pictures from my baptism. The devil is trying to keep me busy, but I will conquer it. I'm excited to see what God has planned for me especially as I overcome my fears.

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. (Luke 12:8 NIV)

Forgiveness

It's always super fun when things interrelate without anything being planned; God's amazing that way.  Last Monday, I was discussing at our bible study that I need to learn how to forgive.  For five years, all I wanted to hear from somebody was that they had wronged me, and when I finally heard it a few months ago, I still did not feel release from the chains that held me.  So this past week was focused on bible verses about forgiveness, and as usual, one stuck out to me.

Matthew 9:  4-8 (NIV)

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?  5 Which is easier:  to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?  6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins."  So he said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat and go home."  7 Then the man got up and went home.  8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

This weekend's sermon was on authority, and how through Jesus Christ, we have the authority to do good works (John 14).  It is my duty to forgive the people who have scarred me in the past.  Going into next weekend, it's all about breaking these past chains and bondages as I move forward in my walk.

It's time to be dunked...

People tend to be shocked when I give my testimony since I have been a Christian for about 10 years now, but yet I have not been baptized.  In part, I always had hesitancy in being re-baptized outside of the Catholic Church, but this past week, God has called me to take this step of obedience and commitment.  And ironically, I believe this rounds out the year I call "the year of obedience" as it relates to my faith.

My post yesterday outlines how God made me listen earlier in the week by blessing me with a case of strep which left me speechless.  I revisited Colossians 2, which has been weighing on my mind and heart for the past couple of weeks.

Colossians 2: 6-15 (NIV) 

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces  of this world rather than on Christ.  9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.  11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands.  Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.  13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you  alive with Christ.  He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.  15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 

Colossians 2: 18-19 (NIV) 

18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you.  Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.  19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
 

On Friday, I dumped the guy I had been dating.

On Saturday, I heard our pastor preach, and maybe for the first time ever, I clearly heard God speak to me.  Everything was connecting in my head all at once.  I think the most powerful portion of the sermon was when re-visited John 1: 12-13 - God gives us the right/authority/power/ability to become His children, but through belief in Jesus' name.  We believe in His name by confessing His nature, embracing His mission, and seeking His glory. 

On Sunday, I was blessed to hear the sermon again since I was not needed in Camp Fun.  It confirmed everything I already knew. 

Indecisiveness wiped.  A new beginning.  A child of God - innocent and believing.  Freedom through baptism.  Perfect for this blog - Transformation.

Can you hear me? Can you hear me now?

Can you hear me?
A whisper exists in your ear.  Every bible passage you pull out and read tells you what you need to do in your current situation, but you choose not to listen.  You are in control of the given situation.

Can you hear me now?
As you head to urgent care on Easter Sunday, you're still oblivious to the fact that God is talking and providing advice.  All you can think about is that you need to start antibiotics today in order to still present to the CEO on Tuesday.  Yet you still don't even know if you have a bacterial infection, you're just basing your diagnosis on prior illnesses.

The diagnosis is strep.  Your throat and tonsils swell to make even swallowing water difficult and painful.  When you try to talk, all you do is croak.  You need to find a 24-hour pharmacy to get started on that antibiotic because you still need to present to the CEO.  You continue to ignore that whisper in your ear.

Finally home and on an antibiotic, you don't know what to do.  Everybody is visiting with family and friends on Easter and you can't even call your family to wish them a Happy Easter and catch up on life because your throat is too swollen.  You choose to send a few quick texts and work on that presentation you need to give the CEO on Tuesday.

Monday arrives and you are quarantined at your house since you're still contagious.  You still brush off that whisper in your ear.  You take a break and open Facebook to see everybody's spring family photos from the day before.  One of your more spiritual friends had posted on Easter something along the lines "He has RISEN!  Let us celebrate!"  You are reminded about what the holiday signifies.  The last few years you always brushed it off as "just another day," but you begin to realize that it isn't just another day.

You begin to listen.  It only took getting strep on Easter Sunday, being stuck home alone while in quarantine, and a dear friend's post to be reminded that sometimes you need to listen and hear what God has to say.  By not allowing you to talk, you had to withdraw from the situation that needed a solution and become analytical about what was going on.  You had to address and deal with it straight on.  You feel better about it.

The presentation to the CEO went better than expected.

True story.

New adventures in obedience...

Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.  For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.  He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.  And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.  Fear the Lord your God and serve him.  Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. (Deuteronomy 10:16-20)

I forecast that this will be an uncomfortable year of growth for me, but I am willing to step into the unknown as well as renew the heart I once had.  I am not going to let the chains from my past hold me down any longer.  The first part of my development is assisting our new church campus in Pflugerville/NE Austin by attending, volunteering, and growing in Christ with this community.  It's been awhile since I've been a part of a small church and I miss the feeling those communities give.  This will be a good thing for my growth and I know I have something to offer as well.  At the commissioning last weekend, our lead pastor nailed it for me when he closed by talking about following in obedience and since I've been talking about obedience for weeks now; I am going.  Alright Lord, Step 1 is complete...next?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:2) 

Peaceful Revelations

I have never felt more myself than I have in the past month.  I'm not sure exactly what has changed, but I feel alive again.  The anger that used to stir up at simple things is gone, and I am now grateful for the blessings that I have had this past year.  I no longer feel out of control, but yet perfectly disciplined within my chaos.  Dare I even say it, since it's been creeping into my life for the past nine months?  Obedience - this is the main reason why I feel peaceful.  I have given up control over my life and have started following the path that I'm being lead onto.  I'm no longer in a rush to get to the destination because I'm enjoying the journey.  Trials and obstacles will always be in the direct path, but as in James 1:2-3, trials will test my faith and will produce perseverance. 

As I continue on the journey to become healthy, I'm not stressed out about losing weight anymore.  I'm enjoying the mental release that exercise gives me and the cleaner I eat, the more energy I have.  I'm tracking my calories in and my calories out.  It's pretty simple.  The human mind creates the chaos.  I am not perfect, but I am perfectly human.  This was the first year I did not make a New Year's resolution.  I didn't need to resolve any issue that I've dealing with because it's not for me to fix; it's already being acted on from up above.  In the past 10 days, I have lost 6.25 pounds, and yet I feel like I haven't put in 100%.

Quiet contentment.  So that's what peace feels like.  I can't help but smile.  Or perhaps make a goofy face.

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.  (Proverbs 14:30)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7)

Moving Forward

I sometimes wish people could climb into my mind and see how it functions.  I swear they would have a different perspective of who I am if they had that opportunity.  From the exterior, I understand why most may assume I'm a pessimistic person, but that's only when I start verbalizing my reactions.  Prior to this verbalization, I keep reminding myself of the positive aspects of whatever I'm facing, that "It can work" or "I am good enough for that job" or "It could be worse."  I go through many iterations of this type of positive reinforcement before I truly start believing in the negative, especially if I feel like I keep getting the beat down on one particular issue.

Waiting for something to happen in my life has always been difficult because the negative thoughts keep creeping in.  I typically keep my life busy at this point or God puts something else on my heart temporarily to get me through it.  It is through this time that I can clear my head and figure out why the contradicting thoughts keep creeping in during God's waiting period.  The negativity symbolizes something that I had to deal with (or not deal with) in my past in some shape or form.  Other times, it can be just a confidence issue, which, if one really thinks about it, stems from the past as well.  I always thought forgiveness was enough, but now I am learning that you need to let it go too.  But are we meant to forget everything bad that has happened to us?  How do we learn from the past if that is the case?  Perhaps it's more about not letting our past stop us from moving forward. 

God blows me away (again)

I sin not just because I am a sinner, but I sometimes sin to test my Christian friends.  Although it has not been intentional by any means, it has become habitual over time.

When I was in college, our Christian club on campus had two groups of people belong to it.  The first group were those who were Christians through and through.  Yes, they did sin, but they tried to be true Christ-followers as best as a sinner could.  The second group, on the other hand, had no obedience to the Lord.  They consumed alcohol in excess and frequently did drugs.  These Christians, seemed to be more in the majority than the other.  I do have to say, though, while I was in college, I was still trying to find my way when it came to religious beliefs, and these observations left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

After some reflection of what was being taught at the Verge Conference, I realized that because of my past, I  actually test my Christian friends to see whether or not they will say anything about my sins.  One instance includes while being at church, the pastor asked, by a show of hands, who had been baptized since that is a first step in obedience.  I truthfully answered by not raising me hand while I sat with 3-4 Christian friends.  Nobody has talked to me about baptism.  Since baptism has been weighing on my heart for some time, I have actually started some discussions with a member of the church staff in which I trust.

Over the years I have become a more bold Christian.  I'm not afraid to let people know I am a Christian.  I have questioned friends when I feel like they have become unglued from their faith.  I wish I had those close friends who would do that for me.  I need to grow as a Christian, and sometimes a person does not know their flaws unless somebody uses it as a teaching point.  I know I'm sensitive, but at the women's workshop at the conference, the speaker made me feel better.  Christian men and women need to know and realize that when discipling a woman, it is going to be emotional and messy; there will be tears, and that is okay.  As long as I am not feeling attacked and I feel the person truly wants me to grow and develop in my faith, I will not be hurt indefinitely.  If anything, it will grow me closer to God.

Uganda 2012: Faith and Hope

A running theme occurred during my trip to Africa:  Faith and Hope.  God could not be any clearer that through faith I can have hope, and little did I know that this was what I truly needed upon returning from Uganda.  But let me discuss something larger than what I had to deal with when I returned to the United States.

When I went to Uganda in 2009, the orphanage at Bukaleba was still in the process of being built, so to return to a fully functioning babies home was completely incredible.  Little did I know that I was going to fall in love with those kids.  And little did I know that I would continually pray about adopting two little girls I met at that orphanage.  I have not been led in either direction at the moment, but I continue to pray and seek God's direction on this.

The two girls I met just so happened to be named Faith and Hope.  Faith (about six years old) is the older sister of Hope (about 4 years old), and both of them have a chronic condition.  They have been at the orphanage for about two years after both their parents passed away.  Their mother died suddenly, and a few months later their dad passed away.  What one pastor told me was that they believed Faith and Hope's dad died of a drug overdose.  Since their father had worked for Arise Africa International as an electrician, the organization felt compelled to take Faith and Hope in and care for them at the orphanage.  The girls are well cared for by the nannies and aunties at the babies home, and they are getting the medical treatment they need.  What they may not get enough of, though, is love, that unconditional love that comes from family.  And let's be realistic, those aunties and nannies are caring for 54 orphans, they cannot invest their whole being into each of those kids, so adoption is necessary.  My heart aches when I think about what will happen when they finish secondary school at Bukaleba.  Will they be able to afford the medications they need?  Faith and Hope have been dealt a hard hand from birth; I need to constantly remind myself that God is in control and if I have faith, I am guaranteed to have hope.  I feel compelled to do more, though, for these two girls.  One evening, we brought Faith and Hope back to the guesthouse with us so the doctor could see them (thought the sisters might have had malaria), and I remember another team member holding Hope and as soon as I walked by, she reached both arms up and towards to me, similar to any child who wants their mother.  I believe the two things that scare me about the adoption process is that for starters I become an instant mom.  I get overwhelmed thinking about that.  And secondly, I'm single - does Uganda even consider single women in the adoption process?  I need some prayer warriors on this...

 

Faith - Age 6

Hope - Age 4

 

I also have mixed emotions about removing children from their home country and culture.  While many Ugandans don't have many physical possessions, they have so much more internally.  When I went to Walmart the day after getting back from Uganda, I almost had an anxiety attack because it was TOO much.  The vibrant colors in every direction, and all the choices - different products and brands - all at my fingertips.  Humbled and thankful?  Definitely.  But at the same time, in recent days, I have felt as if I don't have a true purpose here on earth.  Day after day I live the same story; my life is on repeat.  As a child, I used to dream about being Anne of Green Gables standing on the sand dunes of Prince Edward Island with the wind blowing through my hair.  All I could envision on this trip was me walking through the savannah in Uganda with Toto's song "Africa" in my head, and that I belonged there.  Coming back to the United States was much harder this time, but perhaps that is because I felt like I had a (greater) purpose in Uganda and I've gotten lost in the shuffle here.  

 

While my boyfriend and I have talked about adopting in the future, we have only talked about adopting older kids from the United States.  I have kept him in the loop concerning my thoughts and feelings about these two orphans in Uganda.  Something else God put on my heart a few months ago was becoming a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children in Texas.  Court Appointed Special Advocates provide information to judges to "safeguard children and ensure that children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible."  Now that I have a little bit more time since school is winding down for me, maybe this is just what I need to do.

Forgiving, Forgetting, and Moving Forward

Long story short, within two months time, I lost yet another trainer to another company.  Fortunately, though, I'll be seeing Brant when I hit the classes at Camp Gladiator Arena.  I don't blame Brant for leaving, and he felt bad about it since he knew I was just transitioning to his style of training.  For anybody who is trying to lose weight, consistency is very important, and jumping trainer to trainer can be very difficult.  Consistency, though, can end up in boredom if not challenged too.  Luckily, though, my new trainer, Miguel, has made it rather easy for me.  To be honest, I think my two months with Brant was a God thing, since Miguel only started a couple of months ago at 24 Hour Fitness.  Laura, Scott, Matt and Brant, if you ever read this, know this one thing:  Miguel thinks I have impeccable form while training.  :o)  Miguel offers me a "no judgement zone" and I've been able to share things with him that I have not been able to share with many other people.  I have considered writing some deeply personal posts on this blog, but that time is not now, and perhaps those posts will never come.  I sometimes feel people can learn from my past experiences, though, too, no matter how difficult those times were.  Time will only tell.

I have learned a great deal about myself these past few weeks.  I can't say it is just due to the new trainer, but my life is moving in the fast lane these days.  In a matter of two weeks, I finished finals for my spring semester, I took my doctoral qualifying exam, and my boyfriend moved to Italy.  I'm still picking up the pieces - the house is a mess and quite frankly, my life is a mess.  When my boyfriend and I were prayed over at Austin Christian Fellowship a few weeks ago, I honestly believe that God has us in these separate seasons because we each need something different.  I think I know how God wants me to grow, but I'm sure it's going to be much greater than I expect.  For starters, I need to surround myself with goal-orientated, positive people.  To be honest, in my humble opinion and in most cases, people who complain like to put blame on the current situation onto others.  If I complain loud enough, nobody is going to notice when I fail IF I choose to try and fix it.  Yes, some things are out of our jurisdiction of "fixing," but as Mahatma Ghandi said “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”  At the same time, though, as Will Davis, Jr. preached the other week, we must be okay with being forgotten after we die.  I have been trying to pursue a legacy on earth, but the reality is, it does not matter because in 50 years, I will be forgotten.

Ghandi was a wise man, and some of the quotes that still exist should be life lessons.

1.  "There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever."  Ouch.
2.  "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.  Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."  True.
3.  "Nobody can hurt me without my permission."  Easier said than done.
4.  "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."  So so true.
5.  "You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result."  I think this is my new lifestyle motto.
6.  "The weak can never forgive.  Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."  Let me further explain.

I started checking out a new small group with my church since the one I co-lead disbanded about a year ago, and now that school is winding down, I can really focus on this area of my life.  At dinner last night, we briefly discussed Philippians 3:13-14, "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  You may be curious as to why I bring up this passage while I am talking about Ghandi and forgiveness.  Everybody has heard of the cliche "forgive and forget."  I'm not sure we are supposed to forget.  If your past is holding you from your future, then yes, that is a problem, but I think we also need to learn from our past.  Forgiveness, though, is the first step of forgetting.  And forgiveness, as Ghandi points out, is an "attribute of the strong."  And where do we get our strength?  Through God.  For me, the hardest person to forgive is myself.

Let the Countdown Begin

17 days and counting. I cannot believe that I will be back in Africa in 17 days. I have soooooo much to do still. Or at least it feels that way. I'm glad I got a head start on things earlier in the semester, otherwise I think I'd be in panic mode. I knew things on the other side of the were going to be easier, I just didn't realize how "stressless" I would be. The hectic semester is over. Qualifying exam done. Boyfriend getting settled in Italy. Africa is the place for me to de-stress and really remember what life is about:  serving. Serving God through serving others. It is the one thing that I've been missing this past year as I trudged through school. Life is good. I really shouldn't complain. If you truly follow God, you should not feel empty in any part of your life. Trust me, I know this is easier said than done. I still struggle in areas too.

To update those who may be interested. Support for my trip this year has trickled in; God will provide somehow. Out of the $1250 that was due last week, $250 came from raised support. I suppose I may not convey my heart when I speak of Uganda and the people, especially the children. Perhaps this is a test of faith, or maybe of sacrifice. I know it will all be clear when I get on that plane as to why I have been called to go back. Stay tuned to this great adventure.

Uganda in June, Part 2

Ecclesiastes 5:4:  "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it."

August 17, 2009

Church service was excellent yesterday.  We arrived while they were doing bible study, and we were greeted warmly with a high screech from one of the elder ladies.  The bible study was on us being sinners, and Erika preached about confession.  A Capella worship occurred with a single drum, the villagers danced for us, and guest attendees gave their testimonies.  We introduced ourselves, Erika gave her sermon, tithing happened, and we sang for them.  Pastor Moses had two major prayer requests for us:  to end the famine and stop the spread of AIDS.  I talked to Pastor Moses about the doctor and he mentioned going to visit with him to see where his walk with the Lord stood.  It's all up to God now.  We were given African names at the church.  Mine is Musoga; I am the sister of the screeching elder woman.  I think I touched her when I called them my second family.  Pastor Moses also shared a verse with us:

Colossians 3:1-5:  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Pastor Moses is going to be sponsored soon, what a blessing!  Below is a photo of Pastor Moses and his wife.

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Tomorrow our mission team meets for the first time; I'm excited to see our dynamic and learn what we will be working on.  So far, all I know is that it will be orphan care and construction.  I did go to the travel clinic this week and got my tetanus and pertussis shots; they also wrote me a prescription for my malaria pills and diarrhea medication (a just in case).  Last trip, pepto-bismol worked fine for any stomach issues that occurred. Do any readers know of any organizations that take unused prescription drugs?  A friend asked me this question, and I wasn't quite sure of an answer.

I definitely need you to continue praying for me and my team members.  I had a couple of incidences yesterday in which I believe the devil could be at work.  Luckily, I know God will come through and I will move forward; everything will work out. I also hope to have an update soon on the support raising.  As I mentioned in my previous post, the trip costs $2,500 to go, and I'm looking for a team stateside to support me through prayer and financial means.  Any support is tax deductible and you can send it online:  http://acfellowship.org/450284.ihtml.  You will need to sign in, if it asks you for which campus, please check "Four Points," and please make sure you put in the memo/notes section that it's for the Uganda mission trip and that you are a part of my team (Michelle Cook).  If you prefer to send a check, please make make it payable to Austin Christian Fellowship with a memo (Michelle Cook - Uganda), and send to the following address:

Austin Christian Fellowship
Missions
6401 River Place Blvd
Austin, TX  78730

Thank you so much for considering this.

Uganda in June, Part 1

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10:  "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up."

August 14, 2009

Amdu was this precious boy that probably met everybody on our team.  He had an active mind, knew English quite well, and was so caring.  I was walking back from the recreation time and he walked by my side and asked if I was okay.  We chatted a little bit.  He met an English guy and a Canadian girl last year who taught in the village.  He wanted to be a doctor.  Kevin met him near the end of the day when Amdu wanted to make sure Kevin was okay after a ball hit him in the face.  When this occurred Kevin took off his glasses, looked at them, and put them back on when he was that they were fine.  Amdu insisted on looking at the spectacles himself and when he deemed them not to be broken, he gave the spectacles back to Kevin.  What an amazing child; already so grown up for his age!

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For those who may not know, about three years ago I was in Uganda with Austin Christian Fellowship; it was their first mission trip to the country.  The experience broke me and built me up in so many ways, that I have been trying to get back ever since.  Unfortunately one thing or another had occurred in which I had not been able to go back, but finally, God has willed it and I am going.  This trip will be slightly different in which we will be doing some orphan care and light construction; as many know, I love getting my hands dirty!  I am asking you to join me in this journey through supporting my trip in a variety of different ways, whatever way you feel called to do.  The trip is from May 31st through June 14th.

1.  Prayer, and lots of it.  I have re-read my journal from 2009 and I have this feeling that God will break me and build me up again.  I will be sharing some of these intimate stories over the next few months.  Pray for me spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  Pray for our team; pray for our travels.  Just pray; God will guide you on the direction of your prayer.
2.  Encouragement.  While prayer is very intimate between you and God, encouragement helps me focus and grow in faith, something I sometimes lack.  I will waiver and doubt at times, and that is when I review the Ecclesiastes verse above.
3.  The trip costs $2,500 to go, and I'm looking for a team stateside to support me through prayer and financial means if you feel it in your heart to help support my trip financially.  Any and all support is tax deductible and you can send it online:  http://acfellowship.org/450284.ihtml.  Any support is tax deductible and you can send it online: http://acfellowship.org/450284.ihtml. You will need to sign in, if it asks you for which campus, please check "Four Points," and please make sure you put in the memo/notes section that it's for the Uganda mission trip and that you are a part of my team (Michelle Cook). If you prefer to send a check, please make make it payable to Austin Christian Fellowship with a memo (Michelle Cook - Uganda), and send to the following address:

Austin Christian Fellowship
Missions
6401 River Place Blvd
Austin, TX 78730

I want to thank you for considering the above requests, and I will keep my blog updated as I move forward in going back to the country that I had fallen in love with three years ago.  Below is a picture of a Ugandan market that we passed one day while traveling to the villages.

Just Do It

Yes, it's a well known Nike slogan:  "Just Do It," but it's fitting in anything and everything we want to pursue.  Well, at least for the procrastinator it is, even when all signs are pointing in that direction.

Sign #1
At the end of last semester I was walking out of Kick Butt Coffee in the Triangle, and I saw a woman wearing at Team 413 t-shirt.  This peaked my interest because I grew up in area code 413, so eventually I Googled the slogan.  Team 413 is a ministry based on Phillipians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  The best way to describe the ministry is that it's a "running club" that speaks the truth of our Savior; through Him, all things are possible.  Do you believe in coincidences?  I sure don't.

Sign #2
My pastor is the best.  I'm probably going to make him blush if he ever reads this, but he recently blogged about something that hit home to me, "How to Avoid a Massive Failure."  I recently wrote about my failure to finish the Austin Half Marathon last year, and how it destroyed any and all ambition I had since I felt pretty prepared for it.  In his blog, and I won't give it all away, he has five tips:
1.  Know what you are getting into (I did, I ran a 10K after all.)
2.  Listen to wise counsel (I really should have sought this a bit more.)
3.  Start small and be OK with it (Wasn't a 10K small enough to start with?)
4.  Don't carry a bunch of excess baggage (Hmmm...how about some emotional and physical baggage in my case?)
5.  Know when to quit (But I think more importantly, know when to try again.)

As we all know, I'm back at square one, and I need to be okay with that.  I will be okay with that, as soon as I stop making excuses and procrastinating.  Tomorrow may never come.

Sign #3
My Joyce Meyer daily devotional today was John 14:23 (NIV):  Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."  Joyce made some great remarks about this passage which I need to hold close to my heart:  

This simply starts with being obedient to His Word. A commitment to turn from behavior that offends God is the number one sign of spiritual maturity. It shows you care about what He thinks.

That means you choose to be generous toward others, you learn to forgive, let go of your offenses and live in peace. When we choose to be intentional with our words, giving thanks to God and lifting up others, we'll feel connected to God all throughout the day.  

Sign #4
A Facebook post about slaying my dragons before breakfast.  I need to re-focus my attention to things that God will approve and wants for me.  He wants me to be healthy and live a long fulfilling life, so what keeps getting in the way?

My Next Steps
1.  I need to devote more time to my Bible and to prayer.  With my new daily devotions sent to my inbox, this will help.  I need to please Him rather than myself.
2.  I need to exercise in the morning before work or school, no matter how tired I am.  Once I'm out of bed, I can function pretty well.
3.  I need to reach my target and read seven books (besides school books) this year.  This is easily obtainable if I hit the gym with my Kindle.
4.  I need to forgive and let go of those who have "trespassed" against me.  As much as I hate to admit it, God will forgive them if they ask for it, so I should too.  I'm beginning to think spiritual maturity is not going to be too easy.  I need peace.

Kisses from Katie

I am completely amazed and humbled by this young woman.  Katie decided to go into ministry after high school and follow God's plan for her life.  She is now 22 and has her own non-profit for orphans in Jinja, Uganda; a country and city I fell in love with in 2009 when I was there.  I would like my readers to take two things away from this:

1.  If you allow God to use you the way He wants to, amazing things will happen for your life.  We all have a calling, but do most of us utilize the skills that have been given to us?  I know I haven't, and that's something to change in the New Year.

2.  I understand that the United States has a number of orphans that need families too, but witnessing the poverty in Uganda and knowing that most of these orphans are due to HIV/AIDS, it's a humbling experience.  Please consider sponsoring an orphan in Uganda through Amazima; they can feed a child three meals per day and educate him/her with only $300 per year:  http://www.amazima.org/sponsor.html.

I hope everybody had an eventful and safe new year.  I look forward to seeing what God has in store for you this year!