The gift that keeps giving: 6 Months of dates for my Man!

I am very proud to share with the internet world a personal creation that I made as a Christmas gift for my man! Unashamedly, I get most all of my great ideas from pinterest, however, THIS great idea is an original creation of my own!

Here is the idea: 6 months of mystery dates and scripture. 

I made mine 6 months simply for time and financial reasons, but anyone recreating this could easily make it a year. I took a basket and made 6 month dividers. I made each month original and fun using sticker letters and scrapbook paper. Inside of each of those divers is a sealed envelope, which lists what we are doing on that mystery date. Inside the month divers is also a fancy month title, and a list of Bible verses. The second part of the gift is a dry-erase/magnet board. Taylor can take this board and hang it on his wall. I super-glued a fancy pocket to the bottom of the board, where Taylor can place that month's sealed date. Each month he can change out the design by retrieving that month's supplies from the basket. He will put that month's label at the top, using magnets, and then the scriptures underneath. Almost all of the dates that I planned can be done on any day. That gives Taylor the freedom to choose the day, which he will write on the board using a dry erase marker.

 Each month's scripture verses have a theme. I told Taylor that I would commit to praying those scriptures for him all month. The first month's theme, for example, relates to work and doing hard things for the Lord. I chose that theme for January because that's the month Taylor will start his spring semester of dental school. 

On the day of the date, Taylor can open the sealed envelope and discover what we will be doing! In the back of the basket I added a brown box. The box contains all of the supplies that we will need in order to do that month's date! So when he opens the envelope and reads what we are doing, he can then open the box and find everything we will need. After the date, he will give the box back to me and I will replenish it with the supplies for the next month. (And then I will tie it with ribbon so that he won't be tempted to peek!). 

Here is an example of what is included in the basket for each month: month divider (created with scrapbook paper, sticker letters, and a file divider), sealed envelope with a paper inside of it containing what we are doing on that month's date, month label to put on the dry erase board, and that month's scriptures. Each month I used different scrapbook paper with a different theme and color scheme.

Taylor loved this gift and we are both excited about it, because it's the gift that keeps giving! It's gives us both something to look forward to each month - and gives us quality time together! I also love the scripture element because it keeps me accountable to pray scripture for my man! I would post the fun dates I have planned, but I don't want Taylor to stumble upon this post and read them before we've done them! I'll try to post a second piece to this post in 6 months with more details and memories from all of our fun dates. :)

Green Eggs & Ham

If there is one thing that transcends every culture, tongue, and nationality - it's pain and suffering. Everyone has a story. My family has walked through some hard times in the last decade, and God has used those times of difficulty to refine us and to draw us closer to each other and to Himself. My mom has always been a solid rock, always depending on the Lord and modeling through her example what it really looks like to walk with the Lord. She's an incredible author and I know she'll be writing books one day! I'm proud to share that she's recently been published in Kentucky Christian Magazine! If you are needing some encouragement to keep trusting the Lord through your hardships, read her article - you will be blessed!

Here is the link to her article: Green Eggs & Ham by Vicki Feinn

Kisses from Katie

I'm going to share a link to one of my FAVORITE blogs. It is Katie Davis' blog, a 22 year old who lives in Uganda where she takes care of her 13 "children" (orphaned and abandoned girls that she has taken in). Her love for the Lord and radical devotion to serving Him is so inspirational and encouraging! I can't say enough good things about her... She is a modern day Amy Carmichael or Elizabeth Elliot! Just read her blog and I promise that you will be inspired!

Here is a story that NPR just did about her:
http://www.npr.org/2011/07/09/137348637/in-uganda-american-becomes-foster-mom-to-13-girls?sc=tw


Here is her blog:
http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

The Gospel

I know I've posted more in 24 hours than I have all year, but when it rains it pours!

This video clip is so convicting and puts things in great perspective. May we live out the gospel every day and truly KNOW the cross in such a way that it changes everything about our lives!

A Call to Anguish - David Wilkerson

Oh Lord, give us your heart and your burden through Anguish! Forgive us for being married to the world, please be our true king and husband and destroy our idols! Give us a heart that beats for your heart!

The secret to great living

Eric and Leslie Ludy, my favorite authors, have a ministry targeted towards young adults, challenging and empowering them to live a set-apart life for Christ. Their message and the call to the set-apart life is something that deeply draws me and is something I often come back to. I honestly desire to live a life beyond myself, to not waste anything or hold anything back but to really count the cost and spend my life for my savior. I thought I'd share some inspiring quotes and scriptures that I've gathered (mainly from the Ludy's books) regarding this matter.

“What is the secret to great living? Entire separation to Christ and devotion to Him. Thus speaks every man and woman whose life has made more than a passing flicker in the spiritual realm. It is the life that has no time for trifling that counts.”
- Amy Carmichael

Jesus made it clear to His disciples that if they would come away with Him, they first must forgo their personal life agendas, say good-bye to all that they prize and are comforted by in this life, and then, and only then, follow Him. Matthew 16:24, Paraphrase

I have kicked myself off the throne of my life, so I no longer dictate how I live; but now Christ, living within me, has taken His position on my throne, and He determines how I live. This life I live in this earthly body, I now live in total dependence and trust in Jesus Christ who loved me and sacrificed everything for me. Galatians 2:20 Paraphrase

Looking at it one way, you could say, "Anything goes. Because of God's immense generosity and grace, we don't have to dissect and scrutinize every action to see if it will pass muster." But the point is not to just get by. We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well. 1 Corinthians 10:23 The Message

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:1-4

Christ’s set-apart ones have all gone through the same inner-transformation process, They have all kicked self off the throne of their lives, eliminating the controlling power of sin, and offered the heavenly Prince the ruling power of their existence. Galatians 5:24 Paraphrase

In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11

“The preoccupations of young women – their looks, their clothes, their social life – don’t seem to change much from generation to generation. But in every generation there are a few who make other choices.” - Elizabeth Elliot

** Will you be one of the few who chooses to make other choices? Who chooses to serve Christ above yourself? Who won’t settle for mediocre Christianity of today but instead chooses to live a set-apart radical life for your savior, Jesus Christ?**

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” – Henry Varley

There's no place like home...

Well hello dear blog world! It sure has been awhile! In fact, it’s been so long since I have written and so much has happened between now and my last blog entry, that I honestly don’t know where to begin…

Let’s start from the beginning…

On December 18th, after many sad goodbyes, I checked-in 100 pounds of luggage and boarded a flight headed for the U.S., thus closing the chapter of my life entitled “Costa Rica”. Words can’t describe the feelings that I experienced that day – it was truly surreal. The journey seemed to be going in slow motion as I gradually acclimated into U.S. culture. My first flight landed in Atlanta and I quickly squeezed my way off the plane. As I pushed through the people, I said the first words that came to mind: “perdon, compromiso” then it hit me - I can’t speak Spanish anymore, I’m in the U.S.A.! I finally got off and walked onto American soil for the first time in four months. I looked around and everyone looked so different. Instead of seeing variations of black hair, tan skin, and dark eyes, I saw red hair, different shades of brown, white, black, and BLOND! And the people were so big! Not fat parse, but just tall and overall bigger. All at once I fit in. I was no longer a foreigner. No one was staring at me - I wasn’t drawing attention whatsoever. I talked and no one noticed anything strange; I smiled at men and didn’t get any unwanted attention. Everyone was speaking English, even children! After going through customs, I located the nearest Starbucks and ordered my favorite white chocolate mocha, which I had been craving for so long! I was so excited to be there, to be in my country, and to be drinking Starbucks! I sat at my gate and soaked it all in. Everyone seemed to be so busy and preoccupied in their own little worlds, yet I looked around and felt as though I loved and understood all of them on such a deep level. There were children nearby that were playing; they were chasing each other while speaking English and filling the gate with laughter. I saw many armed soldiers and I wanted to run up to each and every one of them and give them a huge hug and tell them thank you and how grateful I was for what they do, for the freedom that they fight for. As I sat there, singing broke out and quickly drew my attention to a traveling black gospel choir at the gate next to mine. They were all singing songs about Jesus together and drawing quite a crowd. I could have cried I was so overwhelmed with happiness!

As my last flight was preparing to land in Louisville, I was experiencing so many emotions at such extremes. I was so excited that I was almost anxious! The anticipation was killing me! As I looked out the window at the setting sun, and tried to wait patiently, I thought about how great it will be someday when I finally get to go home to be with Jesus! If I was having such emotions and excitement about going to my earthly home, I can only imagine what it will be like someday when I will finally leave this world and go to where my true home is! I thanked God for the incredible blessing of “home”, both my earthly home, and my heavenly home.

God gave me a true treat when I landed, that I was not at all expecting! Katie had been studying abroad in England all semester and I dearly missed her. I often felt like she and I were journeying together, although we were separated, because we were experiencing similar life circumstances. She was scheduled to arrive about 50 minutes after me and I was planning on waiting around to see her. However, I had received word from a friend that she may not have made her flights due to extreme weather in England. When I got off my flight, her mom texted me and told me that Katie should be landing at that moment as well! As I walked off the plane, I told God how incredible it would be if I were able to see her when I got off and asked him for that treat. I looked around and didn’t see her, but quickly headed toward the end of the gate where I knew my friends and family were waiting for me. Suddenly, from afar, I saw her backpack! I shouted: “KATIE! KATIE!!” She turned, and surely enough, it was her! We ran towards each other just like you would see in a movie, both of us pushing away tears as we embraced! We were then able to walk through the gate together where our families were waiting to greet us. I’ll never forget anything about that moment! I dropped my bags and embraced my family, first Olivia, then Gabe, Isaac, Josh, my mom and dad, Zach, Cathy, Katie and Matt! We then headed home where a wonderful home cooked meal made by my very own mother was waiting for us. Although it all felt like a dream, it wasn’t… I was HOME! I was really home, and it felt so sweet. ☺

The days that followed were full of wonderful encounters with friends, sleeping in my own bed, showers in my bathroom, eating delicious food, worshiping at my favorite church in the whole world, and acclimating back to my life. The first few days felt weird, really weird. It took about three days until I really felt like I was HOME and reality truly set in. In some ways, I felt like a fish out of water, everything about my life was different again, and it seemed that much had changed since I had left – not only had people and aspects of my life in the U.S. changed, but I had changed.

The first week went by very quickly especially because I wasn’t even coherent for a few days that week. The Wednesday after I arrived, I had my wisdom teeth removed (yes, two days before Christmas). I even experienced culture shock through that procedure. After I woke-up from the anesthesia, my level of awareness was very off and I felt like I was drunk. I was having extreme difficulty and frustration talking because all my thoughts were in Spanish! Through the gauze stuffed in my mouth and the ice packs around my cheeks, I kept saying to my mom: “What’s going on? Solo puedo hablar español!” (I can only speak Spanish!).

Christmas was magnificent. We passed Christmas just like we do every year; my immediate family stayed home together and we completed our family traditions. It was very peaceful and a great time to reflect and be with my family. Being away for so long has made me so thankful for everything in my life, even the smallest things. It was as if I experienced Christmas through a new lens this year, and it was very joy-filled. ☺

After Christmas, I headed to North Carolina for the annual CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) regional conference called Encounter. Spiritually, going to Encounter was like being in a desert without knowing it and then suddenly waking-up and finding myself lying in a hammock surrounded by freshwater pools! I was able to see many of my friends from Western, which was indescribably wonderful! I’ve missed them all so much and it was great to be back together and to catch-up on what God has been doing in their lives and at Western! The first night of Encounter, we all gathered together (about 1,000 students total) in one room and worshiped. Although I had gone to SECC once since coming home, the worship was short. That night, I looked around and there were hundreds of other Christians all worshiping beside me, many of them my friends. All of us singing together in adoration and love to Jesus, the one true king and love of my life – AND in English! This again was another defining moment that I will never forget. I was so overwhelmed, that I found myself pushing back tears. In Costa Rica, in my day-to-day life, I often felt alone spiritually. I would worship Jesus by myself, pray by myself, read the word by myself etc. When I would go to church, it would be in Spanish and usually not my preferred worship style. I was in a desert so to speak, and all of a sudden, God had placed me back in community and it was overwhelmingly extraordinary.

God did a lot in my heart through the teaching, worship, and fellowship at Encounter. Mainly, He rekindled my love for Him and my passion for what He is doing around me. He showed me some areas of my heart that needed to be cleaned-out, areas that needed the light of His truth to wash over them. He called me out of some mediocre living patterns and invited me to join Him in his work afresh and reminded me of the depth and intimacy that He desires in my relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit and power of Christ showed-up in huge ways and I’m really excited to see and be a part of what God has in store for Western this next semester.

After Encounter, my dear friend Ellie flew in for a visit! I hadn’t seen Ellie for a year, and it was wonderful to spend a few days with her! I love her genuine heart for the Lord, and always feel encouraged in my faith and excited after spending time with her. Some of the fun things that we did included: late night hot-tub soak, making our famous orange/honey shakes, hanging-out with Shelby (her roommate!), reliving the past through watching our classic home-made movies, staying up late talking, shopping, jamming to some pop culture hits, being old ladies and napping, and girls night which included dinner at Hard Rock Café, dessert at the Homemade Pie and Ice-cream Kitchen, and an extensive photo-shoot. I was sad to see Ellie leave, but for the first time in years, I know I’ll be seeing her again soon now that I am in the U.S. and she is only a few hours away. ☺

Well friends, I have much more that I could share with you, but this blog post is already dreadfully long! I’ve been home for a month now, and it has flown by as it has been filled with all the blessings of being HOME. There is no place like home. My Costa Rica journey is truly over and with the start of this New Year, a new chapter has also begun. I’m not quite sure what the Lord has in store or what adventures He will be taking me on next, but I’m excited, as I know it will be great. Our Lord is ever faithful and will complete the work that He started long ago in my life and in yours. He’s up to something big, bigger than me and bigger than you. ☺

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24