A Perfect Life

"You have such a perfect life."  Those are the words slung at me recently.  Words that bruised my Soul.  Not a compliment, but more like a punch-in-the-gut.

The words haunt me.  The thought that my life is perceived as perfect doesn't bother as much as the idea that -- if that perception doesn't point people to Jesus -- then I've failed.

I believe the "perfect life" comment came from the perception of things posted online and small conversations had in various social settings --- because when you look at what's posted on FB and Instagram or what is written on a blog --- my life may seem perfect.

-- Truth is --

the picture we show the whole world is never the whole picture.

But the comment stirs up the question >>>

Is my Life pointing people to Jesus?

If someone looks at my life and deems it "Perfect", but doesn't see that all that I have and all that I am comes from my heavenly Father -- if His goodness, faithfulness and love aren't made known to others by what I say and do --

if my Life doesn't point people to Jesus

then no matter how Perfect it appears

it's all  m e a n i n g l e s s.

My life is not perfect in the way the comment was meant -- 

that kind of perfection is an illusion. 

I fail at a thousand things in a day. Even though I don't glorify the ugly parts through pictures, posts and casual conversations, that doesn't mean all is Perfect. What is posted online or said in conversation at a party is not the sum total of what's going on in my Life --- but those are the things that display the goodness of the Lord in my Life.  

All that I am, I owe to Jesus.  All that I have is His.

The thing is ---

if we aren't pointing people to Jesus 
with how we live our lives 

with how we use the gifts He's given us  

then it's all for  N o t h i n g 

because

the purpose of Life is to point people to Him

--- to G l o r i f y His name ---

The Truth is ... we have been given much and we are thankful for every Gift our Father has bestowed on us.  But because we have been given much, we are also held accountable for  M U C H.

It's not an easy Road, although many think it must be.

It's not a perfect Life, but a blessed one.

The struggle is real --- even for me.

My life is not Perfect as some would suppose --- 
but I will strive

// to point people to Jesus //

// to SHOW the world the goodness of my Savior // 

// to be thankful for His provision and His blessings //

// to work to accomplish His purpose in my Life //

// to bring Him glory in all I do // 

and if that happens to look like a  P E R F E C T  life --- 

then maybe I'm doing alright after-all.

BUT God...

This "ministry road" is not an easy one.  Not that I expected it to be.  I didn't even 'expect' to be IN ministry.  BUT God had a different plan for my life. And I'm thankful.

Some days are really great and exciting, but most days are full of mundane tasks, learning things I never imagined I would be learning, and dealing with issues I never thought I'd be dealing with.  Some days are hard, frustrating, disappointing and even heart breaking.  BUT God didn't call me to a comfortable existence, HE called me to "change lives" for Him.  He called me to bring hope to impoverished and needy people and "most" days I can deal with all that comes with the 'job'.

Today, the road has been particularly hard for multiple reasons.  It's been a"'punch in the gut" kind of day.  BUT God is faithful and He showed up when I called out to Him. Even though my prayer was a mess.

Right at the end of this difficult 'work day', God sent a gift through a precious Friend and reminded me that He IS in this.  It's as if He wrapped His arms around me and said, "I'm here. You are not alone. I've got this."  It was a reminder that even though I don't SEE what He's doing or FEEL like this whole thing is making any difference... HE is working and moving and changing lives through me.

Once again, I'm reminded that whatever HE calls us too, He IS faithful to see us through it.  We just have to look to Him and TRUST that He is going to work out all the details... EVERY single one.  We falter and fall, we struggle to be faithful, BUT God is always faithful. ALWAYS.

What do you need to call out to Him and trust Him for?  Remember... you are NOT alone.  That's HIS promise.

Elizabeth Graduates

This girl of mine...

kind, beautiful, smart, thoughtful, funny, 

lovely in EVERY way.

She makes me one proud Momma.

Her speech was perfect...

her headmaster was proud...

and our family is ALWAYS proud of our girl!

 Silas came to support her...

as well as, her dearest, precious friend, Erin,

 and Victoria even SURPRISED us with a visit!

What an AWESOME celebration!

And now...

she's off to CHANGE the world!

You are an amazing young woman, my precious girl,

and I am so very proud of you.

Out of Order

I like order.

I like my home in order.

My desk in order.

I like organization and schedules and to-do lists.

I like my day in order.

My pantry in order.

I actually don't focus very well until things are in order.

So, I have to say that the gap between the last time I posted in July 2012 and today bothers me.

A lot.

To start posting from today without filling in the gaps since last July seems... out of order.

WAY out of order.

But to try and fill in the gaps seems overwhelming.

Does anyone else struggle with this kind of psychosis? 

I need serious intervention.

Seriously.

Hello Bloggy World...

Here's a little rundown of what's been going on since I last checked in...

In March, three hygienists  traveled to Uganda with me to serve the children going to Suubi Primary School.  

They cleaned over 100 children's teeth in 3 1/2 days!  That's a LOT of teeth!

We were blessed by their service and are super excited that they will be returning in March 2013! 

In April, I began preparing a team to serve at Suubi this summer.  Through the process, I learned a lot about cross cultural training, hot and cold climate personalities, effective communication, being a leader and God's perfect timing.

I also went to see a Celtic Women concert.  Pretty awesome.

On April 29th, Juliet, Kenneth and Abigail were baptized at our church.  What a glorious day!  My heart overflows with joy knowing that my children love the Lord and confess Jesus as Savior!

The month of May started off with our Ugandan beauties joining a dance production called "The Orphan's Hope".  It is a 15 minute production being performed in church's and other venues to bring awareness to the plight of orphaned and vulnerable children in Uganda.  

The last part of May brought busy end of the year school activities. 

We are super proud of Elizabeth for receiving the "Student of the Year" award, as well as Magna Cum Laude on her National Latin Exam.  She's pretty awesome like that.

Katherine finished her first year with the Ingredients Dance Training Program.  It was a wonderful year of growth for her, both spiritually and as a dancer.  

We are proud to announce that she has been invited back to Ingredients as a Company member and will continue using the gift of dance to worship the Lord and to share the Gospel. 

Gary and I kicked off June with a trip to California to celebrate our anniversary.  It was a much needed get-away which included a LOT of down time watching the ocean and waving to passers-by.

As soon as we returned from our get-away, Gary left for Uganda with a group of five people who taught basic first aid to the community, as well as swim lessons to Suubi staff.  It was a blessing to hear the testimonies of many people who overcame their fear of water because of this team.

The ONLY day Gary and I were in Uganda together, with both teams, we had our first Suubi Community Church baptism!  It was pretty awesome!  Sixty people were baptized.  Glory to God!

Middle of June, I arrived in Uganda with a team of 10 people for our first 'Suubi Summer Camp'.  It was amazing!  The children loved it!  I'm pretty sure they're already waiting for next summers camp!

During my stay, I was so encouraged and blessed by the testimony I heard from so many people living in the village that shared that they "no longer live day to day, but now live with hope for their future".  Can I get an AMEN?!

The first of July we were blessed with a visit from our oldest son, Brandon and his lovely wife, Lauren.  They are still such newlyweds!

It was fun to have them hangin out at the house and in the mix that is the 'chaos' of our family.  

Before they headed home, we had a major par-tay to celebrate the 4th! We love a good ol' party.

And now here we are... and it is 'Movie Time' with Husband.

If not US, then WHO?

"Break my heart for the things that break yours, Father."

Have you ever prayed that prayer?

Did you mean it?

I mean... really mean it?

If you really mean that you want your heart messed up and broken for the things that break our Father's heart...then read this blog POST by No Greater Joy Mom, Adeye.

I warn you though, once you have read it... YOU are responsible.

"Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act."  Proverbs 24:12

If we, professing believers in Christ, don't shout out from the rooftops for the voiceless...

If we, people who confess Jesus as Savior, don't obey His commands and do something for the least of these...

If we, people who call Jesus, Lord, don't raise our voices and stop worrying about who we might offend and STAND UP for the destitute and dying...

If not US, then WHO?

How GREAT is our God!

The universe sings praises to God!

The universe SINGS praises to God!!

Watch this video...


Who am I?

I am my beloved's and He is mine.

The UNIVERSE sings praises to God!!!

And still... He cares about each one of us intimately, personally...

He pursues us with His great love.

How GREAT is our God!

How GREAT is His LOVE for each one of us!!!

Oh! that we would live a life worthy of His great love!

Sing praises unto Him!

Live a life that worships Him.

He ALONE is worthy.