The obligatory bucket list

From College Station...

I was reading a friend's blog (www.morganrainer.wordpress.com) and she had posted a little while ago about a singleness bucket list. Basically a list of things she wants to accomplish before she gets married. That had me thinking: what are some things I would want to do before I get married? Not like I have specific plans of marriage right now, but I would hate to get to that point and regret not having done something. Might as well start now. The first few are the same as hers, but here we go...

1. Read through the entire Bible

Having gone to private school and church all my life, I'm surprised I have yet to accomplish this. This isn't something I want to do just to say I've done it. I genuinely think it is important.

2. Be financially responsible

I find it very difficult to spend large amounts of money on myself. I don't think I've ever spent over $30 on a pair of jeans. I would in no way call myself financially UNresponsible, but I just have never truly been on my own. I am blessed to have parents who have supported me financially all throughout college, but since I am graduating I feel very weird still letting them pay for my rent and all that jazz. Starting next semester I want to learn how to properly budget my money and learn fiscal responsibility (Ew I sound old)

3. Learn to cook like a pro...or my mom.

Don't get me wrong. I am not the stereotypical college student who makes Ramen or Easy Mac every night. In fact, I don't think I've ever made Ramen. I am not a bad cook. I can follow a recipe like nobody's business. I watch Food Network on an almost daily basis. Basically, I enjoy cooking. I just find it difficult to motivate myself to make some elaborate meal when it's just me eating it. For that reason, I haven't really learned how to come up with ideas on my own. Everything I have ever made has been from a strictly followed recipe. I would like to learn how to cook the way my mom does. She knows what goes good together and can make literally anything. I would also like to get over my fear of crock pots...there's something terrifying about leaving one going all day while I'm out of the house.

4. Be ok with leaving the house without any makeup

Yikes...this is a tough one. I usually gag and roll my eyes at the "you're beautiful no matter what!" message, but this is something I would like to accomplish. Not saying I will throw away all my makeup and feminine beauty products of any kind and opt for the all-natural lifestyle, but I would like to be able to not be self-conscious leaving the house without any makeup on. With the exception of mornings when I go to the gym, before leaving the house I go through my routine of putting makeup on. It's not even the dramatic girl issue of thinking I'm hideous without it, because in all honesty I don't think I even look much different. It's just something I've been doing since 8th grade, and it's a routine that I need to be ok with breaking every once in awhile.

5. Live by myself

For my whole life, I have always lived with someone else. Obviously with my parents and my little sister, and then all through college I've had at least one roommate. Thankfully I have no horrible roommate-from-hell horror stories, and I have loved all of the girls I have lived with, but there is something I really enjoy about being home alone. I love singing at the top of my lungs without distracting anyone. I love dancing around the house looking like a complete idiot. I love building forts and tents out of sheets in the living room. I love cleaning. I love taking 30-minute showers. All of these things I can't do so well when living with someone else. Whoever I marry will have to get used to it, but until then, I look forward to living by myself and doing all of these things on a regular basis.

6. Work out regularly

This is indeed the most disheartening goal I've ever had. I swear, every time I tell myself "Ok, this is the last weekend I will eat like a pig. Monday starts my daily workout routine!" it lasts for maybe two weeks, only to be foiled by my not-so-secret love of Dr. Pepper and Sonic, usually at the same time. I would not call myself unhealthy or out of shape, but I definitely would like to be more disciplined in this area.


This is all I can think of for now. I'm sure I will think of more later, so stay tuned.

Have a good rest of the week!

Time flies

From Round Rock...

Last week marked my last day of going to class...ever. At least as a student. This Saturday is graduation, and I have many mixed feelings about it. The first thing people ask me when I tell them I'm graduating is "Are you excited?!" My initial reaction is something along the lines of "No...I've spent 3 1/2 years of my life studying information that I, for the most part, will never use again. I'm finally done. I'm not excited one bit" but I refrain and simply answer "yes". Along with this excitement come feelings of fear and uncertainty. I am a planner. Always have been, and let's face it, I probably always will be. Justin was correct in stating that if I could plan things out 37 years in advance, I would. But starting in May I have no idea what's going to happen, at least not past where my own plans will take me. My current plan is to move to Austin, start teaching somewhere in August (be that at another preschool or an elementary school, I don't know yet), and work out every day like I've been telling myself I would do this whole semester. I have experienced the pain of failed plans many times before. I hate it. In fact, it's one of the things I hate most in life. Obviously I grew out of the temper tantrum stage long ago, but it still makes me quite upset when something I was looking forward to is no longer possible. In times like those I have to slap myself in the face (sometimes literally) and remind myself that God knows better. Every time. Without fail. With that in mind, I suppose it would be appropriate to focus on the excitement aspect of this new adventure of mine. I am excited because despite all the changes going on that scare me, I have so many things to be thankful for:

1. My Lord and Savior, who will never change. Neva' eva'
2. Parents who love me and have sacrificed more for me than I will ever know.
3. Friends whom I love dearly.
4. My dear Justin. The Lord has truly blessed my heart over the past 5 months.
5. An education. Although I have complained about homework and tests, I am fortunate to have had a quality education that some are not able to have.
6. Good health. Besides strep throat here and there, I haven't had any life threatening diseases like smallpox or dysentery (both of which I learned about on Oregon Trail).
7. Never being in need. I also have, at times, complained about the amount of money in my bank account. Or lack thereof, rather. But I can't think of a single time when I have truly needed something and not had the funds to pay for it.

I could think of a whole day's worth of happy things I am thankful for, but you get the idea.

I shall update, soon enough I'm sure, about how the Lord shows me, once again, that my plans are silly.


Have a wonderful Christmas! Peace and blessings, peace and blessings.

Back from Nah-lins

From Round Rock

A lot of exciting things have been happening recently! Last week I was in New Orleans along with 40 youth and sponsors. That whole trip was such an incredible blessing. We split up into 3 teams, (originally 4, but we received news 2 weeks out informing us otherwise), and went to different parts of the city. Doing what, you ask? Well to be quite frank...loving it. Our jobs were all very different. One group did repairs on a house, one group did a sports camp for kids, and the group I was in did a VBS...kind of. Looking back I find it funny that we spent so much time planning what games we would play and what stories and crafts we would do, seeing as not much of that worked out the way we planned. But that's usually the way it works anyway. I've learned that when I tell God my plans, he usually responds with "Really? That's the way you think it should work?" and completely flips it around and shows me that his plans really are what's best for me. The kids that showed up weren't too in to organization. We ended up pushing them on the swings and running around the playscape for most of the day, which was absolutely fine with me. My guess is that the kids there probably aren't used to people taking time out of their busy lives to simply play with them. The look on their faces was a look of pure joy when we told them that we were there to love them. It was an awesome experience and it reminded me why I love missions and working with youth so much.

I hope you have a blessed week!
Kristen

Fun in the sun

From College Station (or Destin, Florida rather!)

You read correctly! I am on vacation with my family in Florida! It is absolutely magnificent. The water is crystal clear and the sand looks like sugar. I'm ready to embrace the inevitable sunburn that I will acquire during the week, and eat all the seafood I can get my hands on. The waves are much bigger than I've seen at Texas beaches. In fact, I got completely knocked over by a couple of them today! Quite embarrassing to say the least. I'm sure some other beach-goers had themselves a good laugh at my expense. (Can't say I wouldn't have done the same.) I digress. It reminded me of Psalms 93 where it says:

"The seas have lifted up, LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the LORD on high is mighty."

How encouraging it was to remember that no matter how overwhelmed I may feel, God is always bigger. There is nothing I'm going through that he doesn't already know about. I saw a great picture of that today while I was getting my tan on. A little girl was standing on the shore looking out at the ocean with a boogie board in her hand. She looked very hesitant to go out into the water because the waves were so big. Then her dad picked her up and carried her out into the water. He lifted her over his head so that the waves couldn't touch her. They spent the next 30 minutes playing in the water and she wasn't scared at all because she knew her dad was there to protect her. Had she tried to take on the waves by herself, she would have been knocked over and completely overwhelmed. But when she relied on the protection of her father, she was taken care of. I often forget that my heavenly father is ready to carry me over the "waves" (if you will) and help me with my problems. But too many times I choose to take on these said "waves" by myself and get knocked down. What a perfect reminder I had today watching that little girl and her dad.

I hope you have a wonderful week! :)

Wedding Day

From Denton...

Last week, I was hanging out with my dear friend Blake and we were discussing the word. The Lord had placed 2 Corinthians 3: 16-18 on my heart:

"But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

So, I was talking it out to him and was trying to make sure I understood the context and what exactly it was referring to (Moses and the old covenant). Then, Blake also reminded me of the visual of a wedding day and compared it to the verse. "Ohhhhhhh" Well that makes perfect sense! Ever since that talk and he reminded me of that visual, I have not been able to get it out of my mind.

Being a girl, my wedding day is something I have thought about and dreamt about since I was a little. I know many couples who are getting married this summer, so weddings seem to be all over the place...I don't think I could avoid them if I tried (which I wouldn't want to...i just love weddings!)...'tis the season!! I will catch myself thinking about where I would get married, who I would want to be in my wedding, what my dress would look like, what my ceremony would include. I have dreamed up the greatest little wedding...everything is perfect in my mind...the only thing missing is the groom ha!

I love picturing walking down the aisle in my white dress with a veil covering my face...looking the most beautiful I have ever looked and probably ever will. I am facing my groom with a huge smile-getting giddy with butterflies, about to explode with excitement...not being able to contain all of the emotions rushing through me. As I am picturing this very precious moment that may happen one day, the Lord reminds me of that verse. If these are the emotions I am feeling just thinking about the moment, I can only imagine what it would actually be like. Now, I am sure my wedding day will be one of the most glorious days in my entire life here on earth...if so, I can't begin to fathom what it will be like to meet my bridegroom-Jesus-in eternity! I am now picturing myself walking towards him in a white gown with a veil over my face...probably weak in the knees and crying totally beside myself-for I am walking towards my creator! I am reminded of "But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed...And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image..." When approaching the my Heavenly bridegroom, the veil is removed and HIS glory will be radiating-beaming through me...what a sweet and precious moment.What a day to live and prepare for! The Lord totally humbles me as he reminds me of that special day of unity!

It is so very easy to day dream about my wedding here on earth, to day dream about who I would marry and all of that good stuff. Although the Lord places those desires in my heart, it's easy to get carried away with them. Through this visual and verse, the Lord is very much reminding me that no day here on earth or no person here on earth will ever match or compare to that day when I meet my Heavenly bridegroom...and having a relationship with Him-falling in love with Him surpasses any love I could ever dream up. I am so thankful for the sweet love of Jesus- "Oh how HE loves us, so!" My searching stops and finds rest in the Lord-my heart leaps for joy for HIS name :)

Summer...finally!

From ROUND ROCK!

Greetings!
I am back in Round Rock for the summer starting my job as youth intern at Central. My dear friend Daniel will also be interning this summer so I am very excited about that! We have both been given a lot of responsibility, and as scary as that is, I am completely overjoyed to get to create ideas and run with them. To say that I am looking forward to all that I get to be a part of would be an understatement. God has blessed me tremendously in so many ways.

This weekend, Kristen and I (along with our good friends Blake, Justin, and possibly some others!) will be going to stay with Kristen's grandparents in New Braunfels. I am quite excited to get to relax and just spend some time with people that I don't get to see too often.

(Side note...Kristen also got herself a summer job! But I'm sure she will post about that later)

Anyways...since this is just the beginning of my summer, I don't have too much to write. I'm sure though as summer progresses I will have many stories and pictures to share!


Have an awesome week :)

How full are you?

from Denton...

Today I have been reading in John and the Lord's word is just too good not to share! In John 6, Jesus is speaking to a crowd at the Sea of Capernaum...the crowd had been looking for Jesus and when they found Him Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." The crowd of people were then asking Jesus questions about what they needed to do in order to do "good works" for the Lord...in which Jesus told them that they just needed to believe in the Holy one who was sent (Jesus) (vs. 29). Jesus continued in telling them about the "eternal" bread send from the Father which lasts forever and then they finally said "Sir, give us this bread always."

The crowd was seeking something that was lasting and would fulfill them, always. I am just picturing the crowd hanging on His every word, moving closer to Him as they are soaking in everything that He is telling them. I love that right after they said that to Jesus, He told them this; "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." I am now hanging on His every word...Jesus is simply and straight up saying that everything we need to survive is in the Lord, Jesus Christ...the Holy One who was sent from the Father. I immediately think of this scripture in Matthew, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am the gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt. 11: 28-30. Throughout scripture, the Lord is constant in reminding us that, through Jesus, we will never thirst or have hunger pains again. As we continue to fill ourselves up with food from the world, we are left empty yet He is still faithful to us patient with us. Praising Jesus for his reminders daily and in His word to us, that as we live for His eternal glory He will provide every source we need to further His Kingdom! This brings me so much joy in my heart-truly confirming that as I seek Him with all of my heart, my soul, and my strength I will be FULL-completely satisfied...eternally stuffed...and so will you! :)

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." John 7:37b-38

God is just SO good!!! Have the most wonderful week-full of Jesus (no pun intended ;) )

God speaks...even at Mardel!

from Denton...

Yesterday, I had about an hour of time to kill before meeting a friend for dinner so I decided to go look around at Mardel Christian Bookstore. I have been there several times before but usually had something specific I needed and was in and out. This time, I had a WHOLE hour to browse around and take my time looking at all Mardel had to offer (which is A LOT, by the way). As I walked through the double doors it was as if there were Angels lined up on each side of me sounding off their trumpets...it was glorious! There were tons of nick-knacks, cards, journals, signs, books, bibles, and so much more...where do I even begin?!

After about 10 minutes of looking through some cards, I made my way over to the book/bible section! I got so excited to look around at books and maybe, just possibly, i'll find a new read! I approached the "Best sellers" shelf which was smack dab in the middle. The first book I noticed was "So long insecurities" by Beth Moore. I felt my arm reach out and grab the big hard back book with Beth Moore's beautiful face on the cover! I opened up the cover and started reading the first chapter, I was hooked. I thought to myself, "Lord knows I have insecurities...I bet this book will help me, Beth Moore...she's the woman and well I need this book." *sigh* I also saw the sale sticker right in front of my eyes, so I thought this must be a sign. I placed the book back down because the "For Women" section caught my eye...I scurried over. I immediately was drawn to a pink book that had a devotional attached which was all about giving our whole hearts to the Lord..."Well, I'm learning daily to give my whole heart to the Lord...this must be a great devotional to get...I need this one." I looked up to see another book with a girl dancing on the cover "OH, I love to dance!" so I grabbed that one. I looked to my right and saw the "single" section. "Well, I'm single!! Maybe there is a great book on waiting!" Finally, after a minute of wanting to just plop down in the middle of the aisle out of feelings of being completely overwhelmed I placed all of the books back in their place.

In the midst of being overwhelmed I started to feel a sense of comfort and what felt like an embrace. I started to feel the Holy Spirit surround me, like it was my dad about to sit me down to have a heart-to-heart...you know the kind. In the Lord's quiet and gentle whisper I heard the Lord say: "My Kristen, these books are wonderful. Infact, most all of the books that you picked up were books probably written through my Spirit, as I gave them words to speak and write down. BUT I have something greater for you than these books. They would be great books to read and be encouraged by but right now I have something greater for you. My Child, I have given you my Word, my love letter from me to you. All that you are searching for in those books...all that you may need "help" with...you will find in my Word, and oh so much more! Take just your bible (no other book, no devotional, and no commentary) and go to a quiet place. I will speak to you through my Word, I will meet you there and I will equip you with all you need. I love you and I have plans for you. I desire your whole heart-Seek Me and I will be with you...I will speak to you and provide all you need. I will totally fill your heart."

Wow, I can't argue with that.

Now, I am overwhelmed with so many different emotions. This might be kind of a weird analogy but I am going to take it there. I remember the first time I was kissed on the forehead. Something about being kissed on the forehead, a sensitivity and assurance...feeling deeply cared for and protected, especially from my dad! I was just kissed on the forehead by my heavenly Father. He spoke to me. He cares for me and He definitely has my best interest at heart. I just couldn't help but smile and do a little dance in the middle of mardel.

I walked out of Mardel with a joyful heart, a gentle glow, and a gift for a friend. By far, the BEST visit to Mardel...ever. Thank you Jesus :)

"Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart...with my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart..." Pslam 119:2; 10-11a

Jesus, You're the man!

from Denton...

I havenbeen SO encouraged by all the Lord has done for me and overwhelmed by His provision. So, I decided to jot down a list of a few of the things I am quite thankful for!

1. I am thankful for good food. Not only has the Lord provided clean water and food but He has allowed me to taste yummy and delicious food...food that taste great, is good for my body, and having choices and options each day.

2. I am thankful for knees. I am thankful to have knees that I can pray on, the place I feel the closest to the Lord is on my knees, face down in front of Him. I am thankful for knees to walk with and to bend down and pray on.

3. I am thankful for friends. I am so beyond blessed to be surrounded with many friends and brothers and sister who love the Lord and love others....constantly encouraging and challenging me in my walk with the Lord.

4. I am thankful for mentors. Oh, how blessed I am to have older women who take the time to love and pour into me, help guide me and speak truth in my life. I am thankful for the example they set and for opening up their homes, lives, and hearts to me and so many others.

5. I am thankful for parks. I love the parks here in Denton. I love how beautiful they look in the sunshine and when they are filled up with sweet kids and families. I love the trees, park benches, and offering me a place to have my quiet times.

6. I am grateful for "Just Dance 2" on the wii. I just love to bust out in super cool dance moves and the ability to learn cooler NEW moves through this AWESOME game (which i highly recommend). Yes, I look quite silly the majority of the time but it's okay :) (another reason I am thankful for knees and their versatility).

7. I am thankful for God's word. I am so humbled that the Lord exposes His whole heart to all His people through His word, never forsaking us and always guiding us.

8. I am thankful for smells. Now, not all smells are pleasant however the ability to smell fascinates me...especially walking outside and smelling something new every few seconds. I also feel grateful to own things that smell GREAT.

9. I am thankful for local coffee shops and frozen yogurt. If I haven't mentioned it already, Denton is the coolest city ever and part of that coolness are the many coffee shops. There are three that I especially love to go to meet people/study/have quiet times, ect. Denton also has many frozen yogurt shops and they are just excellent...all the time. ( I have had frozen yogurt three times this week...should I be concerned!?)

10. I am thankful for sleep. My goodness, sleeping and time of rest is just SO great. There is nothing better than having a long day then putting on sweats and falling asleep...especially when one gets to sleep in the next morning. I just LOVE sleep.

Those are just a few of the MANY many things I am thankful for/the Lord's blessings! What are some things you are thankful for?! I hope you all have the most wonderful weekend! :) May the Lord bless your socks off!

Spring break is near!!

From Denton...


My friends, it has been too long since I last posted so I figured it was time for an update!  I love school this semester.  The Lord has always made it clear to me how much of a blessing it is to be able to further my education but more importantly have an opportunity to be surrounded  by thousands of college students daily to love on.  However, this semester I have really been enjoying the things I am learning in my classes as well as my professors.  I have one professor for three out of my five classes and I quite enjoy her.  I have two other professors who I like as well, they are a challenge both in different ways, but it has been good!  


The Lord has been working in my heart quite aggressively these past few weeks.  He is pointing out areas that have not been surrendered to Him,  giving me passion where passion and brokenness have lacked, and has started revealing a more clear vision for my life.  I am truly grateful.  Vision is something I have lacked in pursuing the Lord's will for my life and i'm so grateful the Lord has so boldly pointed that out to me.  I am looking forward to spring break (which starts tomorrow WHOOT!) because I will be able to spend time with my family and sweet grandmother and some friends.  It will be a time of relaxing, visiting, reading, resting, and time in faithful prayer and meditation...listening to the Lord's quiet voice as I seek Him.


This semester has been one of stepping down where the Lord has shown me to step down and growing in leadership in the college ministry- God is doing some mighty things through the college students at FBCD and I am so blessed to be apart of it all! I can't wait for the summer and continuing growing in my personal relationship with Jesus-seeking His heart through His word and prayer...as I go into my last year at UNT and seek God's guidance for where I will serve next...exciting!! 


Jesus, You are Mighty and One who washes feet and serves His people.  Your Holy Spirit is a gift to me and I am grateful You choose to guide my days, my ways, and my heart in order to glorify your precious and Holy Name! Thank you for protection and healing and for covering my sins with your blood on the cross.  Thank you for life and for breath every day-You hold me together every day and I pray that through each breath, thought, action, and word I move through Your Spirit to bring Praise to You.  I love You. Amen.




I hope you are having a blessed week! :)

Winter Wonderland...a little late

From College Station...

Hello friends! Like Kristen, I apologize for the lack of blogging lately as well! I have many things to share.

Since right before Christmas break, my sister Kerry and I have been coaching a 1st/2nd grade girls basketball team for a church league called Upwards. We play a game every Saturday, and needless to say it is quite adorable to watch. We have been so blessed by our sweet little girls and they have really improved and come a long way. I also forget how brutally honest kids can be. During our practices, we take about a 5 minute break to have a quick devotion/Bible story. Well, we have quickly learned that this is not as fun as playing basketball, so it is a struggle to get them to pay attention. We usually get comments like, "This is boring...can we play now??" Ouch. I remember being a little more tactful at that age. And I wonder what response I would get if I said that during class. Anyways, overall it has been so much fun.

The past 2 weekends I have had the opportunity to be a leader for 2 different Disciple Now's. The first was in Gonzales for my dear friend Justin (who is the youth pastor at FBC Gonzales), and the second was this past weekend at my home church in Round Rock. Both were amazing, and God really moved in the lives of many students. I am so blessed to serve Him and serve others!

The weather this past week was quite terrible to put it nicely. Monday was alright, but from Tuesday through Friday I wanted to cry upon walking outside. I don't know how Napoleon Bonaparte led his men through the Russian tundra barefoot. Nor would I ever care to try it. I digress. It did snow on Friday which was awesome and exciting at first, until I had to drive in it. Then I wanted to cry again. But thankfully I made it safely to Round Rock that afternoon. Sadly, Kristen E. was trapped in Denton due to the awful weather, so she wasn't able to make it to Disciple Now, but her attitude about it was such an encouragement to me. She didn't complain, but instead committed to pray for all the leaders and students during the weekend. Hence why I love her so much :)

That's all I got. Have a wonderful week and stay warm!

Peace and blessings,
Kristen

Overwhelmed by God's glory

From Denton...

I have not been following through with blogging once a week and for that I apologize. I need to get back at it because there really is lots to be blogging about, just so little time to do it. Lord, please help me to blog more often about how wonderful you are and the wonderful things you are doing. :)

This past week was my first week back to school from Christmas break and it has been very nice getting into the routine again. I recently changed my major in october, from elementary education to development and family studies. Now, that I am in new classes I am with a whole new group of people and I am enjoying the opportunities to build new relationships and sharing the love and truth of Jesus with new people in my classes!

This week, I have been reading through the book of Acts. I have never read through the whole book all together (i am not quite sure why-probably laziness) and I am just soaking up all of God's glory and power through this book. Reading Acts has given me a new perspective of God's word all together...I am in awe that I am freely able to read about God's mercy and power through His apostles (the Holy Spirit alive in them) in general. I mean, it's GREAT stuff-God's showing us what He promised He will do through us if we surrender our lives to Him...not anything to skim through but to be changed by! I'm learning just how special God's word is to me and how personal it is...a book I used to let sit and collect dust that I would pick up every now and again-is now radically changing my perspective and my heart.

Well, Thursday night I was reading through a couple chapters and Acts 8:26-40 specifically stood out to me. This particular story was not one of the most profound stories from Acts(compared to the others in that book) but really gripped my heart. This was when the Lord told Philip to go "south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Garza." and once Philip left and followed God's command the Lord led him to a man on a chariot who happened to be reading through Isaiah and was not understanding. So Philip helped guide him through scripture and told Him the gospel, in which the man was changed by and Philip baptized him right then and there. After reading that story, I immediately prayed; "Lord, please open my eyes to those who specifically need help understanding your word and your gospel...those who are hungry and searching but need that guidance, because I pass over them every day."

The next day, my wonderful friend Kaitlyn and I went running through a neighborhood by Mckenna Park. We were finishing up our run and were making our way to our cars parked in the park parking lot (wow, there was a lot of "park" in that sentence haha). As, we were coming to a stop a man standing by the bball courts started making his way towards us talking. He approached us telling us he was new in town and wanted to know places that people hung out and where there was community. The first thing that came out of my mouth was "do you know where First Baptist Church Denton was?" he proceeded to ask me for directions and continued to tell us that he does not see many people genuinely pursing people to help "save their souls." I started to sense a desperation in him and a hunger for something more that he was not finding rest in. I started to immediately recognize Christ and thanking Him for this special meeting-allowing us to meet his man. I told the guy that Kaitlyn and I wanted to help him find community because we know how tough it can be to be in a new place and not know many people or find that place to be plugged in and serve together. I guess when he heard me say "community" he thought I said "communion" and got very excited! He said "Oh, I LOVE communion...I mean when I hear communion I run to the church...I want to break that bread and drink that wine...yes!" He continued to talk about being with brothers and sisters and helping others to baptism and taking classes. I chimed in and told him that communion and baptism were great symbols and examples of what Christ did for us and new life in him but a lot of times we overlook guiding people to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and living a life that glorifies HIS name and goodness. Simply being baptized and taking communion or sitting in a class are not enough. He told us that his name is Michael and we asked if there was a way to reach him, so he gave us his brother's (Mark) phone number. We asked him how we could be praying for him and he told us that he has been lonely for his whole life and does not have a wife at 33 years old. He said that may not be God's plan for him and he is just lonely and needs some one to "help lead him out of the darkness and into the light." Kaitlyn and I then asked if we could pray over him right there and he said yes and we prayed together. Afterwards he said he felt relieved and had a big smile on his face.

PRAISE JESUS for answered prayers and for allowing us to meet sweet Michael and share God's love and truth with him. I was so in awe of God and his faithfulness and catching a glimpse of those who are so hungry for something greater and me knowing who that someone greater is. I pray that we are all able to recognize the power of the Holy Spirit and all that He is able to do through us-all to bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ. I pray that we have humbled hearts and open eyes to see all of those around us and intentionally seek them-loving on them and sharing God's word. God is so good ALL the time, He is so faithful and loving. :)

Please pray for Michael and Mark-for the opportunity to connect with them again and help guide them into community and a relationship with a loving heavenly Father. I hope ya'll have a wonderful and blessed week!!