tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31540313336418850202024-02-18T23:06:06.677-08:00Ashton In AfricaAdminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-31273871388107492152014-12-18T12:13:00.003-08:002014-12-18T12:16:36.524-08:00three years<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">three years ago we met a tiny little girl in xi'an china.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrLLiWgl1h7Knjan3fAICCFv-Zm7Rc1r15T8JH2M0WTUNmdVh62WWVXxE6G5JPSGK7Cs4OEFNBDGqfcDqE2yzyUNLMRyDSPfm4K3qQIOkJwxITBAnNwrLB61wAnzMUPqjmPzColqgfX2j/s1600/chinaains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrLLiWgl1h7Knjan3fAICCFv-Zm7Rc1r15T8JH2M0WTUNmdVh62WWVXxE6G5JPSGK7Cs4OEFNBDGqfcDqE2yzyUNLMRyDSPfm4K3qQIOkJwxITBAnNwrLB61wAnzMUPqjmPzColqgfX2j/s640/chinaains.jpg" height="424" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">it was probably one of the hardest days of my life. it was also one of the best.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">we went up to the sixth floor of a dimly lit building and walked into a shoe box sized room that was already filled to the rim with other families. all there for the same reason, to meet their babies.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">when we said "YES" to Ainsley, we knew she came with many needs, and that was ok. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">we were prepared and thankful that God would choose us to be her family. but nothing, and i mean nothing, could have prepared us for the day we met this little one face to face. no book, no blog post, no amount of prepping could have gotten us ready for </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">that day. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">she was scared. she was tiny. and she broke our hearts.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">we spent about thirty minutes studying and watching this little one. she held on to the nannies shirt for all it was worth. she shook and cried and was absolutely terrified. when she was finally placed in my mom's arms, it didn't get any better. she cried. my mom cried. dad cried. i cried. it was just a big hot mess of two hours.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">we got back to the hotel and discovered we had been given a very tiny baby girl. she weighed about 12lbs at 30 months old and struggled to even hold her head up. we cried. prayed. and literally begged God to direct our path. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">we decided that we were going to love this little one to pieces + with everything in us. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">we spent three weeks in china loving + getting to know this tiny girl. and before our eyes miracles started happening. it started with a smile, a laugh, eye contact, and noises. then to eating real food and getting too chubby for her 9-12 month sleepers. and this was just in china. it was beautiful to watch.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">once home from china it got really good. before our eyes she transformed. she formed a personality. conquered the "impossible" and amazed everyone she met. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">we were told ainsley was "hopeless". We were told to never expect her to do anything. she would most likely be wheel-chair bound and would never be a "normal" child. oh, how wrong they were. how very wrong. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">the little girl that was never supposed to walk or talk was running after being home only three months. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">God was so gracious to us.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Adoption is a beautiful picture of redemption. it's the gospel in our living room and Ainsley's little is the most perfect example of that. God truly loves the orphan and He fights for them. He fought for her. for this one. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Today, Ainsley weighs 38lbs, is solid + is the same size as her big sister. she is the sassiest thing you will ever meet and truly loves life. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">she is sweet and loving. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">she is fierce and a fighter. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">she loves to cause trouble and she will almost certainly call you a peacock. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">she is my heart and my little best friend and she reminds me daily of God's faithfulness.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">today we celebrate the miracle of you, Ainsley. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">you are the most beautiful fighter i've ever known and i thank Jesus daily that he allowed me to be your Big Sister. you rock my world and you are my hero. thank you for teaching me what life's really about and for teaching me what love really means. thank you for the passion you've brought to my life. thank you for showing me that faith moves mountains + that miracles do exist. if i ever forget, all i need to do is look at you running around the house or reading a book. you are my miracle. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> i'm in love with your spirit and your sassy stubborness that refuses to be defeated. i truly believe that fighter/little lion spirit is the reason you are here today. i'm in love with everything about you, babycakes.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">you're gonna conquer the world, darling. and i'm going to be your biggest cheerleader every step of the way.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">i love you to the moon and back peacock. happy, happy gotcha day.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdPzr6jxcuCnVZTZk0MsK0Q6-B2cIfbexlyCfSq_ydyrtIJdEkUrbgRp3U51Uuu9t_GRK5H-WBHPNATSjA-UOlSo9GCw-tXKLh6_VHElkiBGhDYMfqmfn_W7mMtC52knUav95E279rb_B/s1600/ainsley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdPzr6jxcuCnVZTZk0MsK0Q6-B2cIfbexlyCfSq_ydyrtIJdEkUrbgRp3U51Uuu9t_GRK5H-WBHPNATSjA-UOlSo9GCw-tXKLh6_VHElkiBGhDYMfqmfn_W7mMtC52knUav95E279rb_B/s1600/ainsley.jpg" height="640" width="554" /></a></div>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="btext" colspan="2" height="20" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His perfect power that is at work within us.<br />-Ephesians 3:20</span></span></td></tr>
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Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-27138628674741207752014-07-26T09:09:00.000-07:002014-07-26T09:09:23.275-07:00why i'm leaving uganda...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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well, this is a post i never, ever ever planned to write. like ever, but i'm pretty sure that's kind of how God works.<br />
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i can sing and state "His will, not my own" but when it all shakes out i still honestly hold out hope that "my" will and His will match up. sometimes, they do. but sometimes, they don't.<br />
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when i announced my "move" to Uganda, i planned to <i>move</i>. <b><i>my</i></b> plan was to stay until November, go home for Christmas, and move back <i>indefinitely</i> in January of 2015. it seemed like a perfect plan, i felt [at the time] that this was God's will for me and that it was what would happen.<br />
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i came thinking i would be making this my home. my indefinite, forever and ever home.<br />
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but, sometimes God's plans aren't always our own. sometimes, His plans are mind blowing and make you want to, with everything in you, resist. because sometimes what God sees fit is not at all what you saw fit for your life.<br />
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the two weeks leading up to my move to Uganda were stressful beyond belief. it was spent finding plans had fallen through, finding broken situations, and realizing how incapable i am. i was shaken and knew that God had something else in the works. i thought that maybe this wasn't His final plan after all. but i still packed everything and headed to uganda according to <i>plan</i>.<br />
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once in uganda, God continued to work on my heart. He continued to reveal needs to me that I had no idea about before. He broke my heart for what broke His and brought me to a new understanding. God transformed how I saw the world within a few days of being in this land.<br />
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I prayed and sought His will for my life and He showed me so clearly time and time again the answer. when the answer came, i came out kicking and screaming. this was not<i> my</i> plan. not <i>my</i> want. and certainly not the lifestyle <i>i</i> pictured. yet, at the end of the day my loyalties lie at the feet of Jesus and trusting that His plan for my life is<i> so much better than my own</i>.<br />
<br />
His plan you ask?<br />
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<b>Education. </b><br />
<br />
in this country, education is the key to everything. it is a door opener and it is a world changer. it is the key to everything i would like to do. if i want to make a difference in uganda or anywhere else in the world, an education is crucial.<br />
<br />
i never want my only qualification to be "professional baby holder" because to be honest, a Ugandan can hold a baby and therefore i'd be completely useless.<br />
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i want God to use me in every way and in all of my talents.<br />
<br />
if i come to this land with no prior education or anything to help educate and empower these people, i'm doing <i>no</i> good.<br />
<br />
i've had quite a few people confused.<br />
"why do you need an education there?" they ask<br />
and this is the only way i know how to answer,<br />
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the people of uganda deserve <i>the best</i>. they deserve better than an 18 year old girl with nothing but high school and google to help empower them. they deserve someone that can teach and train them. they deserve <i>the best</i>. not "good enough" or simply<i> ok</i>. i would be crazy to think i could teach a class, preach a sermon, or train others in therapy for children in the states if i didn't have recommendations, a college degree, volunteer hours, and previous experience. so why should uganda be any different?<br />
<br />
coming to terms that i have to leave where my soul loves for this new season is hard. so hard. but this time in uganda has been a season, too. the season ahead is one that i feel God has called me to and is absolutely necessary for my future and my future in uganda or wherever He may call me. it may not be the season <i>i planned</i>, but i am slowly learning that God's plans aren't really affected by my own. and i find myself more thankful everyday for what the future holds and for this land that i have been able to call home for a short time.<br />
<br />
this is by no means the end to my ministry or to missions. this is simply a step in the process. it just means it will take a few more years and a lot of summer trips in between. it is just a stepping stone + i've come to realize through all this that i still have so much ahead. and i'm anxious to see where God leads me on this journey.<br />
<br />
so here begins my most unexpected adventure yet…<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">college. </span></b>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-69160292564901346502014-07-22T11:36:00.003-07:002014-07-22T11:42:15.587-07:00in Uganda <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px;">while i've only called Uganda "home" for eight short weeks, the honeymoon phase ended about two days after my dad left + reality sank in rather quickly. life here has become quite sweet, but please don't think it goes without road bumps. life is much more than an instagram post, + hopefully this post gives you a little insight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Uganda...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">if you wanna get anywhere, you better get real comfortable with a boda [aka motorcycle]</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">roads are made with potholes in them and they are as fun as they sound on a makeshift motorcycle.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">where cheese is non-existent </span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">people use the phrase "it is okay" or "it is not okay" instead of a simple "yes" or "no" </span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">where your night guard is your closest friend + a compound is the norm. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">joy is abounding, but so is grief and poverty.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">where not having power for 5 hours in one day is totally normal + if the power doesn't go out for an entire week..wait that doesn't happen. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">where the color of my skin makes people daily ask me for money + make me pay more for everything from a boda ride to a necklace.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px;">the thought of rain is exciting + miserable all at the same time. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px;">where you realize not having A/C isn't so bad after all + also realize that 65 degrees outside IS cold enough for a jacket.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px;">where you experience the most heartbreaking things + also the most joyful and sometimes it happens all in one day.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">the color of my skin also means i'm a modern day celebrity anytime i enter a village, my dirt road [that i walk down 4+ times a day] and anywhere else for that matter.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">where i am no longer a name, but simply a "mzungu"</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">where chaos surrounds me and days are never, ever easy.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">where death is a way of life.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">where the need is sometimes so overwhelming that you almost lose hope…. almost.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">but then you realize you were made for a time such as this and that <i>in Uganda</i> isn't so bad after all, it's actually the greatest blessing/experience of your life. </span></span></span></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-24225745008614212892014-07-08T12:14:00.002-07:002014-07-08T12:56:32.241-07:00walking home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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every day during my lunch break and after work is over, i walk back to my house. it's not a long walk and usually takes no more than 10 minutes (and we don't walk fast)<br />
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most days we are greeted by kids in our village yelling "muzungu! muzungubai!" and hugging us. it's usually one of my very favorite parts of my day. the kids always hug me, hold my hand and i get to talk to them about their day. slowly, but surely i am learning their names + their stories. it's the best thing to watch it unfold.<br />
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today was a rainy day. which is not really normal saying it's "dry season". we also did not have power for a good portion of today and it was cold. <i>like i had to put on a jacket in the middle of uganda cold.</i> yeah, not the happiest feeling for a day. anyways, on our walk home from work today we met a new group of kids. mostly boys and mostly older (think 6-12 years)<br />
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it didn't seem too out of the ordinary to have kids running up to us, but today was different indeed. today, these kids were pretending to be us (aka muzungus) and how did they greet us? with toy and pretend cameras in our face. they were talking to us saying "smile" and "muzungu look!" they were "taking photos", "videoing" us, and asking us to pose and dance for them.<br />
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while the kids thought it was incredibly funny and i found the kids to be really sweet, i also found this situation rather sad.<br />
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i don't want the people of uganda or the children to ever look at me and just see a photo-taking-muzungu. that is not my goal. it deeply bothered me that when these kids see us "muzungus" all they see is a camera. or at least, that's how it was for these kids.<br />
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that's just not ok.<br />
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when these kids see me, i want them to see jesus. i don't ever want a child to wake up thinking about a white girl that only takes their photos and invades their privacy. i don't ever want this ministry or the work in uganda to be about me or muzungus in general. because that's not the point.<br />
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<i>i never want to be get so caught up trying to capture a moment that i miss the moment. </i><br />
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and i am the absolute worst. i love photos. i take too many pictures and love capturing little moments and posing with cute kids in cute moments, but i'm going to take a step back. i plan to reevaluate and not focus so much on capturing photos but instead on relationships.<br />
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it has become so common to make our goals "the perfect photo" or to "make sure i look good" instead of not caring what photo you get, but instead what life you change or what friendship you make. i've seen it happen so often in the time i've been here and even in the states. it's heartbreaking to watch and it's even more heartbreaking to know you've participated in it before.<br />
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i think it is desperately needed in this day and age of social media, selfies, and everything else. i don't want these kids to remember me by my camera. i never want to get to the point where i only focus on getting "the perfect shot" because that defeats the purpose. i want kids to remember me by my actions and by my love and better yet His love.<br />
<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-80827376727478580072014-06-12T11:36:00.000-07:002014-06-12T11:36:30.807-07:00herehello from uganda!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTpvNLjJMYJvj4QMSx6ggI3Y7m9qb2iUZxhNHWx9CfK-zVR2kdlorErC8HKdaBof6oul4R_7CjsPZwD707w5nf9zo_56-xBrlEg_6ih3nHtuRiURUzMDdRfZJ_4VmyciOEQrx8-3wit3X/s1600/jinja7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTpvNLjJMYJvj4QMSx6ggI3Y7m9qb2iUZxhNHWx9CfK-zVR2kdlorErC8HKdaBof6oul4R_7CjsPZwD707w5nf9zo_56-xBrlEg_6ih3nHtuRiURUzMDdRfZJ_4VmyciOEQrx8-3wit3X/s1600/jinja7.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
what a crazy almost week it has been. i have finally arrived in jinja and i'm in love with the people, culture, town, and boda bodas!<br />
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i spent my first few days in kampala visiting some sweet and very dear friends. such a fun reunion it was!<br />
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emma, macey and sharon were the best "guides" ever and took me from church to shopping to all around kampala and then dropped me off in jinja. it was truly the best ever.<br />
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we traveled to jinja and were able to meet up with our friend joanna. i was so pumped to finally meet her after so many years of loving the same land!<br />
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my dad is with me and leaves on saturday. i'm going to miss him fiercely but am so thankful for the time together in the land i love and that he has learned to love and embrace the culture, too!<br />
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ekisa is beyond anything i could have dreamed. i've fallen in love with the kids, mamas, and everyone else. i'm absolutely in love with jinja in general and love getting on a boda boda (motorcycle of sorts) and being able to go anywhere.<br />
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we spent today riding horses down the nile river and it was absolutely amazing. i highly recommend it and plan to go again before i leave uganda.<br />
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i'm so thankful for god's provision in this journey. i feel at peace and like i'm right where i'm supposed to be. there is nothing like the center of god's will. it is such a sweet place to be. while i'm still unsure of how long i will be in uganda and where God will lead me i am incredibly thankful for each day He gives me and know that this trip is not the end of my journey here.<br />
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thank you all so much for the prayers, love, and support as i begin this journey. it's been so good + i can't wait to see what he does in the coming days and months ahead.<br />
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<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-47129986963597994962014-05-25T20:03:00.003-07:002014-05-25T20:03:49.958-07:00graduation party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSI5vZh6fnrGe0G25AnOh-N8T0MPRqdXBzTKHm2fN_cDw344LAUyfo5zKOPMNYQ-jqTidlDpljmsFIhlPsGWCuH1JS7UAqdsk2LzzsFi3CtjxLJ_OGB596O6ww5VuFIBwAp5VKMPCM7EcZ/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSI5vZh6fnrGe0G25AnOh-N8T0MPRqdXBzTKHm2fN_cDw344LAUyfo5zKOPMNYQ-jqTidlDpljmsFIhlPsGWCuH1JS7UAqdsk2LzzsFi3CtjxLJ_OGB596O6ww5VuFIBwAp5VKMPCM7EcZ/s1600/blog1.jpg" height="606" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so, i had the most magical graduation party ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it was everything i could have ever wanted + i was surrounded by all of my favorite people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the theme was "oh, the places you'll go!" and it was just that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it was so perfect that i felt i had to share some of it on my little space of web. i leave for uganda in just 12 days so my party was also a little "send off" too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the cards table was also a pillowcase that we asked people to sign with "sweet dreams" or well wishes for me while i'm in africa. it was one of my favorite things. the palate was also awesome. we just nailed string and used it to clip photos from birth-now on. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97QsfwMeu1RwM6rtmgb4RQRWLiHXJ_F1zLvRugT0Ac4Y7kSQKnkx50FlaTmgCbykNSkiGOqLsuQlo10jVvzAMBRciEjxIW6jqznutLcFnOwsj3U9f0bJaBm5UTo4bhPH_0uqj6WmUn8Gm/s1600/agrad2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97QsfwMeu1RwM6rtmgb4RQRWLiHXJ_F1zLvRugT0Ac4Y7kSQKnkx50FlaTmgCbykNSkiGOqLsuQlo10jVvzAMBRciEjxIW6jqznutLcFnOwsj3U9f0bJaBm5UTo4bhPH_0uqj6WmUn8Gm/s1600/agrad2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2wawN9oI7-RHawh1-CPgDplCmleN71WFkuH0tvhIBPcqseKcBGXLwoWJTAoxTyzod2Z72Al9tm8ijJRampZ0UfimlArTL4d3ZWrfo57wEuj3bQJoKuecj7KYzs8yOsMDMfqQzyxcZwW2/s1600/agrad3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2wawN9oI7-RHawh1-CPgDplCmleN71WFkuH0tvhIBPcqseKcBGXLwoWJTAoxTyzod2Z72Al9tm8ijJRampZ0UfimlArTL4d3ZWrfo57wEuj3bQJoKuecj7KYzs8yOsMDMfqQzyxcZwW2/s1600/agrad3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> my precious daddy + i. so thankful that he will be visiting me in Uganda and seeing the land i love! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzJg15XQ-mszORzxIPqEp2yo5yevDTOa_LQs7wm_8LjHvk89ikwzQ7QCDv3lCuTonTX-CUL-klpKUfFXT9xLRdE9P6fd21tMhO2mkeqhEjyXiM2PM3xwbcpWYbuG_T1bmORUJdsZZej_A/s1600/agrad4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzJg15XQ-mszORzxIPqEp2yo5yevDTOa_LQs7wm_8LjHvk89ikwzQ7QCDv3lCuTonTX-CUL-klpKUfFXT9xLRdE9P6fd21tMhO2mkeqhEjyXiM2PM3xwbcpWYbuG_T1bmORUJdsZZej_A/s1600/agrad4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the photo booth was a huge hit + one of my "take away" gifts was a chinese takeout box (monogrammed, of course) with a little fortune cookie in it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdCfG2Q_K74eihM6V4ZxjJbiwmcHf5kWTE3grlPAb1muNPZiNQgm4gn0ntimcLJ-WTIvkloRGpI5glwtSRQapreJNxVEhTTz2fMZ9SmIEUneybj4N1o70GjphNaoRY5UVevR7lkMvxbfY/s1600/agrad6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdCfG2Q_K74eihM6V4ZxjJbiwmcHf5kWTE3grlPAb1muNPZiNQgm4gn0ntimcLJ-WTIvkloRGpI5glwtSRQapreJNxVEhTTz2fMZ9SmIEUneybj4N1o70GjphNaoRY5UVevR7lkMvxbfY/s1600/agrad6.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> my guest book was themed with the party. one page had a senior photo the other had a map with a b/w baby photo of me where the guests could sign. i made it and am quite obsessed with it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqEqfMAplEyrU0keablYoRZZvshpPazOgi4pByopqDzTO1t0U_nlAurrnfAsppdM8c09X9F-Ct2Klw-2sBRpGu2lXhJmQGI4YvfZlKgvA9om6rgi4QvtaOZMfgFgAOBxsoLXWxiyU4umX/s1600/agrad11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqEqfMAplEyrU0keablYoRZZvshpPazOgi4pByopqDzTO1t0U_nlAurrnfAsppdM8c09X9F-Ct2Klw-2sBRpGu2lXhJmQGI4YvfZlKgvA9om6rgi4QvtaOZMfgFgAOBxsoLXWxiyU4umX/s1600/agrad11.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> small cups of kettle corn, chocolate dipped pretzels, + amazing cupcakes (thanks erica!) made up the best parts of the dessert table. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityGlt3suFZpJB4RR3LpanX4hSeWU4en0_aO4kBNSvjmET82jwtgEnTjcy_c4zoxiSnFzc8OJgtBHlk32Z3HIVjn1LiG3SGYjYEV9sWPVO_5_zcr5U85FoODYwZDlc3oqpibb1tge-9LaC/s1600/agrad13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityGlt3suFZpJB4RR3LpanX4hSeWU4en0_aO4kBNSvjmET82jwtgEnTjcy_c4zoxiSnFzc8OJgtBHlk32Z3HIVjn1LiG3SGYjYEV9sWPVO_5_zcr5U85FoODYwZDlc3oqpibb1tge-9LaC/s1600/agrad13.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the smores bar ended up being quite the hit with our smaller guests who loved making them right there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rjPfL5AYiovZz6WXdTTxVZExB0egXm39VnmTlXVgkL76_gcaQYf2bVf6NFwmiIiMYs57yiOVKDrTUhmIoZxXzBqL_zyPBSKIkb2quBkS2bjR0rQ7vrHV-A4lPlOte4ee46quzAXLMo7I/s1600/agrad19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rjPfL5AYiovZz6WXdTTxVZExB0egXm39VnmTlXVgkL76_gcaQYf2bVf6NFwmiIiMYs57yiOVKDrTUhmIoZxXzBqL_zyPBSKIkb2quBkS2bjR0rQ7vrHV-A4lPlOte4ee46quzAXLMo7I/s1600/agrad19.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> fun fact; the ashton on the A is actually my signature. i'm quite in love with my monogram and signature, so we hid it everywhere in the party. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClMA27KZJJnfyJbz9DMSsjCNaiIzKjo8ALgn2cfKGbqCZXpeZLEO39I6_BgzA5N7qdtgjTHGb7pr5gama4wodiPbElWQayEZ8wXeQz3rRBKsf13ogYxVDhiTkKh9cbBXV_4G3BuD3_fZi/s1600/agrad20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClMA27KZJJnfyJbz9DMSsjCNaiIzKjo8ALgn2cfKGbqCZXpeZLEO39I6_BgzA5N7qdtgjTHGb7pr5gama4wodiPbElWQayEZ8wXeQz3rRBKsf13ogYxVDhiTkKh9cbBXV_4G3BuD3_fZi/s1600/agrad20.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and no party is complete without Ashton Water, right? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9wxPXZr1UlEcYI38NHdjTZ8musv-_vt9NWNx0d4j58EWFY2uODPfunUqMTyjymcberAoQg2xZX25GTMqcR6NoTPC4qV8wai6aGTelGS-3zsU2oPXFWitIS-lpf9MJq7WXgT6XoNu9b1o/s1600/grad5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9wxPXZr1UlEcYI38NHdjTZ8musv-_vt9NWNx0d4j58EWFY2uODPfunUqMTyjymcberAoQg2xZX25GTMqcR6NoTPC4qV8wai6aGTelGS-3zsU2oPXFWitIS-lpf9MJq7WXgT6XoNu9b1o/s1600/grad5.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my precious and amazing friend, jennifer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>jen-ta-fa, thank you so for creating the party of my dreams + for going above and beyond anything i could have imagined. i owe you big time + will be forever thankful for you + your sweet self. you're crazy talented and pulled off the party of the year. this constitutes </i><i>you being late for the rest of forever in my book :) </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzTsDlPRphSI0AOquDf4ko64qHcQnOnkLoIzDvWX_gU4BGTONF9G-54nVj_UsHBGQsW__uiIFvhf2bf5DNT0A5J4cG_0jWej0TP9w8QswwF8wcQmH6VNT2NWXig9sw_xCWEYcAj-sacY9/s1600/graduate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzTsDlPRphSI0AOquDf4ko64qHcQnOnkLoIzDvWX_gU4BGTONF9G-54nVj_UsHBGQsW__uiIFvhf2bf5DNT0A5J4cG_0jWej0TP9w8QswwF8wcQmH6VNT2NWXig9sw_xCWEYcAj-sacY9/s1600/graduate.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></span></a><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thank you to those who helped make it possible + to those who joined in on the fun. so thankful for all of you who love me so well + celebrate me even more. </span></i></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-54029332799297256652014-05-15T19:49:00.001-07:002014-05-15T19:49:48.197-07:00three weeks. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTDa1oY4Ob7ogJfhwqzLyunR9Esyez9mTFtJO7Qjh0YIqnZKUBnZVh8yLTpDk6mCDWfc4_Gmp5yEdcqdpAzAHSGWZhBuQ68_AwdIfrRLNnIAsWHTa3BziVJUbCRJX_vLQ3wo97i8rR6sU/s1600/fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTDa1oY4Ob7ogJfhwqzLyunR9Esyez9mTFtJO7Qjh0YIqnZKUBnZVh8yLTpDk6mCDWfc4_Gmp5yEdcqdpAzAHSGWZhBuQ68_AwdIfrRLNnIAsWHTa3BziVJUbCRJX_vLQ3wo97i8rR6sU/s1600/fly.jpg" height="640" width="606" /></a></div>
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three weeks from today i will board an airplane to the land that has been in my heart for so long.<br />
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three weeks from today i will have graduated high school, said goodbye to everything i've known, and miraculously gotten everything done.<br />
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three weeks.<br />
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soon and very soon.<br />
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and i'm thankful.<br />
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so, so thankful.<br />
<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-62404639752281689452014-05-03T07:49:00.000-07:002014-05-03T07:49:09.576-07:00when oceans rise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
if i've learned anything from this journey i'm on it's that i am so not capable.<br />
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i am obsessed with organization. i love a clean house, i love color coordination, i adore clean cars, and clean cut things. so much. yet, when it comes to my room, car, + life it is so not like the things i love.<br />
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during this crazy whirlwind of a year since i accepted my move to uganda, it has been insane. i feel like i have accomplished nothing and everything at the same time.<br />
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right now between graduating from high school and still having not taken senior photos, sent out invitations/announcements, gotten a white dress, gotten any other outfits, shoes, or anything else PLUS still needing 10123823984 things for Uganda, to raise a little more money, to enjoy my time here in the states, to prepare, etc i am quite run down, unprepared and on my knees.<br />
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and in this chaos and mess i realize that He is still so present and real and with me. even when i feel like i'm drowning, i'm brought back to the earth-shattering knowledge that He walks on water.<br />
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i'm obsessed with Hillsong. their music makes me happy + i could listen to it all the live long day. one of my favorites (along with half of the worlds population) is the song Oceans. it speaks so true to my heart in this season.<br />
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<b>when oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace. </b><br />
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do i truly believe those lyrics? of course. but when oceans are rising all around me, my perfectionist self finds it so hard to rest in His embrace. because i want to fix it and be able to handle it all myself. but that's the thing. i'm not capable. i am one person and maybe if i had better planning skills, i could do it. but the truth is, i don't. and so i'm thrown to my knees in a whirlwind of His grace and mercy.<br />
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please pray for me in the coming days as i experience some of the biggest days of my life. and some of the hardest goodbyes and sweetest hellos. i will be graduating from high school in only four weeks. i will be saying goodbye to everything i've loved and known for the last four years of my life and i will be closing a very sweet chapter which is such a bittersweet feeling for me. i spent a lot of days hating the building i walked into everyday and the people i encountered, but i spent a lot of days and nights loving it fiercely and loving every human being that crossed my path.<br />
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pray for my goodbyes. i will be leaving a four year old sister who is my very best friend. and i will be leaving four other sweet siblings who i love fiercely and that own my heart. i will be saying goodbye to my precious parents that are such a huge part of my life. i will be saying goodbye to all of my friends. the ones i have grown with for 12 long years. i will say goodbye to my life as i knew it.<br />
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pray for my hellos. i will be entering a country that owns my heart and runs it. i will be going to the place that is the heartbeat of my world. i will be saying hello to many broken and beautiful souls and telling them about the beautiful love that Jesus has for them. i will be loving them and doing exactly what God has called me to.<br />
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pray for my "loss" i will not be going to college with all of my other friends or enjoying a summer at the beach and lake with my family. i will be in a foreign country by myself. learning how to live on my own, while learning a whole new culture and a new normal. it will be very hard, but so rewarding. i don't count it as loss, in any way! trust me, but i do know that it may be a struggle the first few days/weeks regardless of the excitement and joy i hold in my heart.<br />
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this is what God has called me to. He has called me to a land that is far from all i've ever known. He has called me to dirt beneath my finger nails and to loving hard and good-even when it's not easy and my own heart feels mangled. He has called me to fingerprinting in the messy of grace and to change. and i'm so thankful.<br />
<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-75549909631256696432014-04-19T20:51:00.000-07:002014-04-20T06:48:21.439-07:00a messy redemption <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">insert a miracle. out of a tired and dying world full of brokeness comes a miracle. a baby is born and it shows God's most beautiful ideal yet: He wants to save us. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">to deliver us. to come to us and to give us a </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">kingdom of glory amidst dying, poverty, and a broken existence. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">He came to the world. God in flesh and He said to us "<i>You messed up yesterday, you'll mess up today and you'll do it again tomorrow, but you know what? i love you. with everything in me i absolutely adore you. i cherish you and i think you are worth it all. you are worthy. you matter. you are mine. through the good, the bad, and everything in between that love will not change. i love you today and i love you tomorrow. i sent this gift to you to save you. to help you and to ease your burden. i came to the world and i am going to save you. because i love you. i fiercely love you and this is how i will prove it to you.</i>" </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">God came into the world through a 14 year old girl. she was nothing special to the world yet kings bowed down to this baby she carried in her womb. He grew to preach and heal and change. He lived the perfect life. He never ever sinned. He was in every sense of the word, perfect. yet, He died the most tragic and shameful of deaths and suffered immensely. all for you. and for me. at only 33 years old the King of Kings died. He died amongst scoffers and mockers who would assume let a murderer go then this innocent man. the man that only came here to save us in the first place. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">the most tragic part? at anytime He could have commanded it to all stop. he could have gotten off that cross by Himself and not had a scar on His body. He could have. but He didn't. because He came to save us. He came to bring us peace and to rescue us from ourselves. from our sin and filth. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">that is a God that could have saved us in any way shape or form. He didn't have to go through all of that. He could have left us all to rot in sin and die. <i>but He didn't</i>. He came to the world in a dirty manger. a KING was born amongst animals and filth and was grown up into a world of poverty and sin. why? because it would take that pain and fearlessness while He walked this earth to bring such a love that was the <i>greatest</i> of all. a love that knew no boundaries. a love that was fearless and messy and so, so beautiful. a love that would save us all. He came to this broken world because of love.<i> love is selfless</i>. so selfless that the God of the universe dropped<i> all </i>of His glory and ranking and came just for love. He didn't come to prove His majesty or power or to prove how glorious He was. He came for love. the greatest love the world would ever experience was hung upon a cross.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">but that wasn't the end. while the world thought that He was done, He was just beginning because on the third day, a tomb was rolled away and their was no savior to be found. He had risen. He had done just what He came to do. He saved us from ourselves. God used a really messy dirty story to make something so beautiful and to save me. and to save you. because to Him you were worth it. worth every tear and drop of blood that was shed. the God that died on the cross 2,000 years ago is the same God today that would do it all over again for just one person. He loves you and i so much that He would relive the torture and the poverty and the mocking for one. just one. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">He took my place on that cross. He took your place. a sinless man took the place of a dirty messy sinner so that we would never have to have that shame. we can be free, all because of Him. He carried your cross. and my cross. because of Him we would never go without <i>grace</i>. that is Love. that is the beauty of His love. that is the messiest, but most beautiful picture of redemption the world has ever known.</span></span></div>
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He loved us enough to come down and prove that He can make beauty from ashes. He can turn the messiest of stories into something incredibly beautiful. and you know what? He is still in that business of fixing broken hearts and making all things beautiful. He is the same today as He was yesterday and He's not changing tomorrow. all we have to do is accept His gift. just that. accept the gift He bestowed upon the world so many years ago.<br />
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rejoicing and thankful for an empty tomb + risen King.<br />
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Happy Easter.</div>
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Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-2055441351583626432014-04-06T09:58:00.000-07:002014-04-05T19:58:49.363-07:00being the church.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in our modern world we "go to church" the church has become known as a place we go to worship, socialize, and meet with other believers. nowhere in the new testament do the followers of Jesus "go to church". what you do see is where the church gathered together. believe it or not, there's a big difference between the two. that difference still exists today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">anyone can go to church, but <i>being</i> the church is much different. i don't believe God ever meant for church to be about buildings, services, or filling pews. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the bible jesus sees the church as His bride. i don't believe Jesus sees a building as His bride, but the people. that is what the church is supposed to be. it is people. people who love Him, seek Him, and go to tell others about Him. people make up a church, not a building.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i believe being the church is about serving, missions, and loving those who need love. that is what Jesus did. He showed grace, love, & compassion. Jesus didn't go by cliques or social standings. He loved every single person He came in contact with. He loves the broken, the orphan, the sinner and the saint. and that's exactly what the church is supposed to do, yet most of the time the people inside of a building they call a church do nothing of the sort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i think as Americans, we've gotten this idea that the only way we can have "church" is by going into a nice building with comfy chairs and good music. that's hardly the case. the best church i <i>ever</i> went to was in the middle of a village in Uganda. the church was just a few walls and a roof. the floor was dirt. there was no bathroom or a/c. the music was a guitar and two singers. the chairs were plastic. but there was the church. and it was<i> beautiful</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we've allowed four walls to amount to something much greater than anything we posses on this earth. most of us have lost what it truly means to <i>be the church</i>. we think that by going to church every sunday we are fulfilling what we are called to do as christians. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus says this : <i>pure and faultless religion is this; to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and to not become polluted by the world.</i> [james 1:27] </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pure religion isn't a nice building. it's caring for those in distress and not being polluted by the greed, power, and sin of this world. that is serving jesus. that is church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">don't get me wrong, churches are great. and not all churches have the wrong idea. church is a wonderful place for people of all kinds and churches bring many people to Him, but we don't need to leave church in that building at 12pm on Sundays. We need to be the church. at work, at school, at soccer practice, at the doctors office. we are on a mission field every day of our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You don't have to go to Africa to be a missionary. you were called to be a missionary right where you are at this moment. every single person is called to be the church. it's not a special calling just on my life. it's a call on every single one of our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can't afford to become distracted from God's original plan for the church. there are souls at stake. God has made the church to be His body, which is made up of believers in Jesus-to reach the lost for His glory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we have to step up as the church, today and everyday, and go after those souls that are lost. because as Christians, that is what we are commanded to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we are to be living, breathing examples of God's love. when God said to "Go and Make Disciples of all the Nations" i don't think it was a suggestion. it was a command. and one that we are called to live out daily. </span>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-68685057727360688372014-03-31T17:46:00.000-07:002014-03-31T17:35:15.124-07:00plan b<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #606060; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">plan b is a tricky little thing in this life. especially mine. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">see, my plan a has always been africa. as long as jesus calls me, africa is where i'll be. and i'm ok with that. actually, i'm in love with it. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">but because i don't know where i'll be in 5 years or even 5 months, i need a plan b. but plan b and i don't really get along that well on most days. plan b has never sat well in my bones. it's never been where i wanted to be, yet so many of us stay there. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #606060; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #606060; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">in my mind, plan b is where you are standing when you decide that you are too afraid to step out + let life hit you hard. with blessings and dreams and things you didn't know you possessed. plan b is the boring, but seemingly secure, place you build when you desperately want to keep things together. but here's the thing, plan b, it's not for me and it's not for you either. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">plan b didn't work for me when i was 12 and desperate to be normal and it's not working for me now at 18. it didn't work yesterday, it won't work tomorrow, but if you, are like me, you will try your very best to fight and push and put everything you have in your little being into making that plan b work. but it's never gonna. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">in our heads, plan b is the safe way. the good way. the way that leaves everyone with nothing negative to say, but with nothing positive either. plan b is bland. and it is the easy way. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">the thing is, jesus doesn't call us to be safe. He calls us to be faithful. and sometimes being faithful means quitting the good act. quitting the safe path. choosing to be reckless and to love with abandon. choosing to go beyond our comforts and what our idea of life should be. it means leaving the shouldhave + wouldhave for what He has. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">don't get me wrong, if jesus gives you a plan a and you go with plan b, He won't love you any less, but take it from me, you could miss out on some of the best and greatest blessings of your life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">if i've learned anything in this season of my life, it's that plan b doesn't work. and neither does living to please this world and the people in it. i've finally come to the realization that this is my life. it's your life, too. so i dare you to stop acting as if this world runs you. as if the people who have never cared enough to listen to you and the song in your soul have any say in what you do with this one, amazing and beautiful life that is all your own. i have learned to stop waiting for the next big thing and to stop standing in the corner waiting for an arrow to show me where i am supposed to go. i dare you, just start running. full out sprint. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">peace will come flooding into you when it's right. peace comes in footsteps and trials and quitting plan b, i promise. you have one chance to change this world and to be the mover and shaker you were born to be. and the thing is, the world isn't gonna cry if you never use it. it's all on you. every bit of it. it's all you. the sweat, tears and blood to come they are all your own. you were put on this earth for a reason. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">you may not know, yet and i don't know either, but this world has always been about one thing. it's always been craving for the one thing that brought it together in the first place, <i><b>love</b></i>. it's about helping people. choosing to be graceful for people. choosing to find beauty. choosing <i>love</i>. this is where you'll find joy. and that, that is where the peace is. it's the beauty in every aspect of this life. you were born to make a difference. you were born to break the chains and to quit plan b. you were born to chase plan a and to rock it. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">seek your passion, seek His heart and go after it. don't stop running until you're so overcome with joy and peace you can barely breathe. will it always be easy? absolutely not. will it always be worth it? definitely. </span></span></span>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-74461387143951830052014-03-24T15:49:00.003-07:002014-03-24T15:53:10.174-07:00questions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDoonalc4mWI5JwnvuSqzEgIvoXwE-hNaSJXveTpDp02KrjfXpHzm7V53OZHe7vkQFsED-BmFBNpJWvwakVSHlm7WyX9IqmqZOjg1zISWU70rDuDMtimR_vyB4Haq3IveG4FsznmVNt-0/s1600/faq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDoonalc4mWI5JwnvuSqzEgIvoXwE-hNaSJXveTpDp02KrjfXpHzm7V53OZHe7vkQFsED-BmFBNpJWvwakVSHlm7WyX9IqmqZOjg1zISWU70rDuDMtimR_vyB4Haq3IveG4FsznmVNt-0/s1600/faq.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i get questions, always. i love answering them and am always so excited when people show genuine interest in my move. if you see me, ask me about it! i love talking about the land i love and am always open to answering any questions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because i don't get to talk to everyone in person or detail, i figured i would answer a few FAQ while i had a little bit of time. so, here we go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">where will you be? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">jinja, uganda for the most part. i will be in kampala less frequently but will make a few visits. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">what about college?</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">right now, i feel like this is the calling God has placed on my life and i plan to follow Him fully. college can wait. no degree is worth ignoring the calling God has placed on my life and it is always gonna be available to me when i am ready. souls are at stake here. i am going to be a missionary and right now loving and serving His people is my top priority. and it's not every day you get to pack up and live your dream, right? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">why? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">well this is a deep question, but basically from the time i was about 10 uganda has been my heart. from the time i was 13 i have harassed my parents to allow me to go to uganda. when i finally went at 16 my soul knew. uganda is the land i love and i am eager to return. i feel certain that God gives us desires and passions and i am chasing mine right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">when do you leave?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">June 6th! i am literally counting down the days (74 left!) until i leave. i am so so excited. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">what will you be doing? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i will be volunteering at Ekisa (such a dream!) and will be partnering with other ministries as well. i will be loving people, children, and sharing Jesus wherever i go. i basically am going to have the best job in the entire world and i feel crazy blessed to be on this journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">are you graduating? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">yes! i will be graduating on may 31 from high school and i'm quite excited. it's a bittersweet feeling for certain, but an exciting one nevertheless. i look forward to the new season of life that is just on the horizon for me after graduation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">how old are you? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i'm 18! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">what about safety?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to be honest, there will be "danger" no matter where you roam, i rest in the promises of Jesus. if my God is for me, who could stand against me? i also use these verses/quotes to encourage myself (and my family)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> your God is with you wherever you go. [Joshua 1:9]</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:19]</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God never sends you where He hasn't already been. [Max Lucado] </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">aren't you scared?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this is quite a frequent question and if i am being honest, yes sometimes i get a small wave of fear, but it passes as quickly as it comes and i am flooded with peace and promises that only He can provide. i am excited about the future and i cannot wait to see what God does. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">how can i help? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oh! i'm so glad you asked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there are many ways to help and there's a cute little tab at the top of my page that says "help wanted" click on it for some great in depth ideas, but here are a few easy ones that are linked for easy access. you're welcome.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 20px;">> pray like crazy</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333;">> </span><a href="http://www.underthecarolinamoon.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=3752" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">buy one of these </a><a href="http://www.underthecarolinamoon.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=3752" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #990000;">tshirts</span></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 20px;">> join my prayer team</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333;">> send one of the donations listed </span><a href="http://www.ashtonsinafrica.blogspot.com/p/how-to-help.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 20px;">> all of the above</span><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">above all "money needs", prayer is </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">so much more important</b></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><i>. please remember to pray for me, uganda, and the people i will be serving daily.</i> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">if you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me. i would love to hear from you! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">tying you closer than most, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Ashton </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-73612228936312562242014-03-19T21:06:00.001-07:002014-03-19T21:06:42.312-07:00booked. <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">yesterday we booked plane tickets to uganda. today we paid for them <i>[ouch]</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">we you ask? yes. we. my dad and i. my precious dad has decided to travel with me to uganda and drop me off. he wants to make sure i am safe and i want to show him the land i love. it's going to be a sweet, sweet few days and i cannot wait. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">yesterday we finalized dates and finalized some tickets and guess what y'all? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i'm officially uganda bound in 77 days. <b>SEVENTY SEVEN DAYS</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">so soon! and i am going crazy. like i don't even know what to do with myself. I AM GOING TO UGANDA!!! </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(also, please notice my THREE <b>!</b> points. i'm an english nerd and my rule is no more than two….if you're really, really excited) </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">On <b>June 6</b> I will board an airplane to the land that i call home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and there is so much to be done between now and then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i will be going to sea world. i will be swimming with dolphins. i will be graduating high school. have grad parties. savoring the last little bit of high school. oh, yes and planning to pack up and MOVE to a foreign country. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">it's a crazy few months ahead. i'm nervous, i'm excited, i'm anxious, i'm feeling thankful beyond belief, i am so so so ready, but sometimes i'm not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">so, pray for me please. especially over the next 77 days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">pray i find peace. pray i find joy and can enjoy the last bit of time in high school with my friends. pray i can prepare. mentally, physically and spiritually. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i would be so, so thankful for that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">seventy seven days and i'm africa bound. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">ready or not, here i go! </span>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-67312898396660096582014-03-05T18:57:00.003-08:002014-03-05T18:58:31.062-08:00seek. love. walk. <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">one of my favorite verses is seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God [micah 6:8] </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i love everything about it. and quite frequently say "seek. love. walk." </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPosCYxj5Q7whUQa0Yw0n3QkEPirjH1fMiy88UwjeBBNO1LhLPd6IsgNQjt692Hz0BlcNoNQwMcP5yk_KRb_P1LMqurfsNtpdbGxc5v7hjNZuqMjX2rSJMStBBTX7y-mGDfo6uHmqF0X0C/s1600/ashtonglobeabr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPosCYxj5Q7whUQa0Yw0n3QkEPirjH1fMiy88UwjeBBNO1LhLPd6IsgNQjt692Hz0BlcNoNQwMcP5yk_KRb_P1LMqurfsNtpdbGxc5v7hjNZuqMjX2rSJMStBBTX7y-mGDfo6uHmqF0X0C/s1600/ashtonglobeabr2.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a few months ago the lovely jennifer and i began plotting for a tshirt to help raise funds for my move to uganda. i knew i wanted simple, yet powerful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i do a lot of sketching and actually sketched out a map of the world one day [the one on the shirt]. i showed it to jennifer, she worked her magic and my uganda shirt was born. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut1wq3KmzxGSNTZ_thB8nygtLsTt-uyITt-C7AWixGDJNyBZicjYtpJ9vejV1m3GM0r9tX5RZhTLSGhonk5xzFOhn032ew0qoL_HIYs7s_rL5QwfOkekdlDOhmULIPxc7GkuDYqJIUc67/s1600/ashtonsale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut1wq3KmzxGSNTZ_thB8nygtLsTt-uyITt-C7AWixGDJNyBZicjYtpJ9vejV1m3GM0r9tX5RZhTLSGhonk5xzFOhn032ew0qoL_HIYs7s_rL5QwfOkekdlDOhmULIPxc7GkuDYqJIUc67/s1600/ashtonsale.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the front of the shirt boldly states "seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that is how i want to serve, justly, mercifully, and humbly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100% of the proceeds of this shirt go to helping me serve the people of Uganda and enable me to live out the calling God has placed on my life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the shirts are $15 each [they are unisex] and you can order them at <a href="http://underthecarolinamoon.com/">underthecarolinamoon.com</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i have been overwhelmed by the support and love i've received since my announcement and am continually thankful. </span><br />
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you can find me on social media, too<br />
instagram: @ashtonbry<br />
Facebook: Facebook.com/ashtonbryAdminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-63192033896733992362014-02-03T15:54:00.000-08:002014-02-03T15:54:25.989-08:00peace.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkBMs9J6W_y-ydYmUs6mdyUv1YTiUDJxCCyL-Rrc3MWv39TkDy6Oz25ul6pazh24XI8Xq6Esu-Wd9q3Dy6rvDaDywS5AXbd8d9QYkXCrRdRJPVn-lBpUuqBzZXIOOlus81OtyfJGOPnR_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-03+at+6.49.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkBMs9J6W_y-ydYmUs6mdyUv1YTiUDJxCCyL-Rrc3MWv39TkDy6Oz25ul6pazh24XI8Xq6Esu-Wd9q3Dy6rvDaDywS5AXbd8d9QYkXCrRdRJPVn-lBpUuqBzZXIOOlus81OtyfJGOPnR_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-03+at+6.49.57+PM.png" height="640" width="497" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">throughout the last few months since i announced my whole <i>move-ashton in africa-everything-in-between</i>, it's been quite the journey. many ups, many downs, and quite a few times i've landed right on my face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">see, from the time i was a little girl africa has been on my heart. the needy of the world have always pulled at my heart, even when i was young. homeless people and hungry children always wrecked my tiny being, so trust me when i say this "africa thing" is not out of the blue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i drove my parents insane for africa for six solid years. finally, they agreed. at sixteen i went to uganda and it wrecked my life. shattered me into pieces and i realized that it was my love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when i decided it was time for me to go for longer, i began looking. i found ekisa and it was perfect. i applied and honestly never thought they would accept me, but they did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the last few months i've struggled with dates, money, and all the technicalness. but recently i've been overcome with such peace. it's been quite amazing, actually. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some days, i become overwhelmed at the thought of living in a foreign country by my lonesome-sweettea-lovin' self. the idea of being a few planes away from the people i love so much is a lot to take in. and that's only four months away, y'all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">recently i found the verse and i fell in love with it. it's simple, true and speaks volumes to my heart..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">He gives me peace. [john 14:27] </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and He does give me peace. such glorious peace that makes this transition a lot easier than i ever imagined. i still have time to prepare, but time doesn't stop for anyone..and i'm no exception. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">people continually tell me they don't know how i'm doing it and that i'm brave. but i'm not. i'm just a girl. i'm from a small southern town. i've grown up in the same place my entire life and while i've traveled quite a bit, i'm not worthy of this calling. i'm just willing to follow Jesus. and He is leading me down a path that may make me seem brave, but i'm not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">because He is graceful, i am Brave.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and it's as simple as that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i encourage you to find peace in Jesus. it's unlike anything in this world. the process might be painful, it might be ugly, and it might not be the beautiful fairy tale you imagined, but oh it is worth it. so worth it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this new season looms and i don't know what is next, but He does. and He doesn't need me to be ready, because He is ready. He just needs me to be in the here and now and clinging to Him and His goodness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and i can do that. and so can you. </span></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-73959356067764958402014-01-26T15:02:00.000-08:002014-02-03T15:25:17.488-08:00selling beads!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPN6Yiwzm39-bTx7bv26956t-lXjxTrnXtZkB7PM0joG8-SJxGoPp57zA17KGcFMk6_UzwtmaKqINxvfaeToc0yyrUEUWXLgV_nticaTCicsSEABVSRJHhHJBEVpuQah_jASNDCfD6fFF/s1600/beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPN6Yiwzm39-bTx7bv26956t-lXjxTrnXtZkB7PM0joG8-SJxGoPp57zA17KGcFMk6_UzwtmaKqINxvfaeToc0yyrUEUWXLgV_nticaTCicsSEABVSRJHhHJBEVpuQah_jASNDCfD6fFF/s1600/beads.jpg" height="640" width="410" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">currently selling paper beads from Uganda in order to raise money for my move! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">these beads were handmade by women in Uganda. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they are absolutely beautiful and come in multiple colors and sizes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i have a few bracelets but not near as many as i have necklaces. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if you would like to see more necklaces, or are interested in ordering them, email me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">ashtonbry[at]yahoo[dot]com </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i'm continually thankful for everyones support in this new season of my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashton </span>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-55663048219876012602014-01-11T20:01:00.000-08:002014-01-13T14:47:46.412-08:00follow your arrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb9PnduTneP3mSrPTcCo2wABb26i7tL6hrC_0DjH2uEBQW5-zeRZpDDPLxT4Y4UzGuzHFiatcVXCYO_o2eMV9MF2mKgTiz9kEixMFNzNlh7CDKuUB2Y-qUCZlMz7E22tvAmc465sjRPzj/s1600/be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb9PnduTneP3mSrPTcCo2wABb26i7tL6hrC_0DjH2uEBQW5-zeRZpDDPLxT4Y4UzGuzHFiatcVXCYO_o2eMV9MF2mKgTiz9kEixMFNzNlh7CDKuUB2Y-qUCZlMz7E22tvAmc465sjRPzj/s1600/be.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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all too often i become enthralled with someone else's life. all too often everyone's life but mine seems so much better. they have prettier hair. better bodies. more followers. better writing skills. and i find myself wanting to be just like them.<br />
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i want my life to be just as wonderful as theirs appears to be over a fuzzy social media screen, but here's the reality….<br />
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i'm not called to live anyones life but my own.<br />
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and sometimes, just being honest, that's hard. because sometimes what i feel is my calling doesn't seem to be as cool as some other peoples calling.<br />
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lately, i've realized that i might not be the only one with that issue of following in someone else's footsteps.<br />
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reading a book about someone who is doing awesome work for God in a certain country might light a fire inside of you and make you want to go do the same thing they're doing! It looks so cool, it's so life changing and you feel like you have to be like them.<br />
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as I dig deeper into my bible, i'm finding something come up repeatedly…follow your arrow. and make sure the one you are following is <i>yours</i>.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><i>Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to<b> confirm</b> your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble | -2 Peter 1:10</i></span><br />
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basically, God has a beautiful plan for all of our lives! He has plans far greater than ANY we could imagine, we just simply need to open ourselves to Him. allow Him to take up the space in our life. allow Him to lead us to the place He desires for us to be.<br />
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and it's hard.<br />
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i found a quote the other day that hit home for me pretty hard. it said<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"help me to put aside the things that are breaking my heart for the things that break Yours"</span><br />
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if we follow Jesus and truly go after His heart, our desires will be after His. it isn't as easy as it sounds, but it is so rewarding.<br />
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There is nothing more beautiful than being in the center of God's will and recently i've been learning that the center of God's will may take you all the way to Uganda or China, but it may take you to your neighbor or your local school.<br />
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If God called us all to the same place, we wouldn't be helping nearly the people. <i>Praise God</i> for people who have different callings in life. It makes for a really beautiful world and an awesome gospel.<br />
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i simply want this, to Be where my feet are.<br />
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simply that.<br />
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Be where your feet are.<br />
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let that sink in.<br />
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<i>Be where your feet are.</i> right here. right now. be a little rooted. dare to grow deeper. love the people who are right here, right where your feet are.<br />
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that's my plan. to follow my arrow right where God leads my feet. to grow and love and prosper right where my feet may land.<br />
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wherever He takes me, whenever He takes me.<br />
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i would encourage you to have the same prayer. don't seek anyone else's happy ending. follow your arrow. follow your feet. follow His calling on your life. it's gonna be beautiful, no matter where He takes you.<br />
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and when you finally get there, it's gonna be good. <i>so</i> good.Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-44727374612103329382014-01-11T13:57:00.000-08:002014-04-04T14:15:33.654-07:00liliana<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">sometimes in life we are given moments and experiences that will forever be in our hearts and minds. they will follow you, you will see them in your dreams and they will forever </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">change</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> you. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dBQzliAWS6-TpifWTR67B63ex-kFwXCYMi_Y5Bc8HAfnJ6pyPxXHZoisgfmuejCfxl2P-gtlsNed8sUJfj1M2eW1Lc4CYm5YWR1W9z32n_BE71kx7hBBZUSDlj8wraGD0XjXVW7BgJ_X/s1600/lili3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dBQzliAWS6-TpifWTR67B63ex-kFwXCYMi_Y5Bc8HAfnJ6pyPxXHZoisgfmuejCfxl2P-gtlsNed8sUJfj1M2eW1Lc4CYm5YWR1W9z32n_BE71kx7hBBZUSDlj8wraGD0XjXVW7BgJ_X/s1600/lili3a.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">two years ago on december 22 i walked into an orphanage with amanda de lange. i was in xian china and although this was not my first time in china, nor an orphanage, it was my first time ever seeing the true side of it. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">the moment we entered that orphanage my heart was broken and my world came crashing down. i got a very very loud wake up call in that moment. and it's not stopped yet. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXoWSJcq-WjZUxcE_b6EUymgBrG2qQ2Q9HL2ZvRBR07xjPJsicJMSfmr2U-9-rDYN51SXm4OqpykD4AxLwJ06pU2xRdGlSXrNHZG-o-sZtddsY1KKKDeO3O0MJFzyJtTomXfEhgF-9nMU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-08+at+4.55.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXoWSJcq-WjZUxcE_b6EUymgBrG2qQ2Q9HL2ZvRBR07xjPJsicJMSfmr2U-9-rDYN51SXm4OqpykD4AxLwJ06pU2xRdGlSXrNHZG-o-sZtddsY1KKKDeO3O0MJFzyJtTomXfEhgF-9nMU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-08+at+4.55.11+PM.png" height="640" width="472" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">see, the moment i walked in to that little room in the orphanage i spotted a baby across the room between two other babies and something inside of me jumped. something inside of me knew. i knew this little girl had to come out. i knew i could not leave her. and sweet amanda agreed and later praised my persistence for this little girl.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">i went to the crib, picked up "my" baby and whispered a promise in her ear. as long as i had breath in my body she would never, ever see that orphanage again. it was a promise i kept. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">we left the orphanage, babies in hand and headed to the car. the entire time i take in this tiny, tiny baby's sweetness. Amanda told me i had to choose a name for her. i was so honored. and so i began to debate a name. so much is in a name. and i knew what her name had to be. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">i'm a planner. i love to plan. i love name meanings and i love dreaming of naming my future children. as soon as i thought of it i knew that was her name. her name would be liliana. liliana means God's promise and beauty. how fitting. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_48WKZ6Oz9rsnz3LiRVliF9P2eB6GlbykynsFf1BUBBS3nKaQD4be-umJUw18EUd_mwZ9gNfz3JjneYWRhomeCwmCZNj8AVL1jJA2cj7PvJI6rzycveu_yJhkIpt1I6M-pNZtzEWQAbey/s1600/lili2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_48WKZ6Oz9rsnz3LiRVliF9P2eB6GlbykynsFf1BUBBS3nKaQD4be-umJUw18EUd_mwZ9gNfz3JjneYWRhomeCwmCZNj8AVL1jJA2cj7PvJI6rzycveu_yJhkIpt1I6M-pNZtzEWQAbey/s1600/lili2.jpg" height="640" width="438" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">we got back to starfish [the foster home]. bathed and weighed liliana [she was 4lbs 6oz!] and gave her her first full bottle. took some priceless pictures and cherished that little bit of time i got to spend with her. i looked forward to watching her grow through pictures and one day seeing her and loving her again. she was dubbed mine. i was head over heels. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">then, two years ago today i got the news that my liliana had passed away. i was devastated. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">i found out</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">my</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">liliana had passed away. i sobbed. and sobbed. and sobbed a little more. my heart was broken. broken for the little girl who will never have her family. broken because i will never get to hold her again on this side of heaven. she was my baby. i loved her with every ounce of me and now she was gone. and there was nothing i could have done. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">and then i realized something, she was never mine to begin with. she has always been <i>His</i>. from the moment she was conceived, to her first breath, the day i met her, and to her last breath, she has always been His. He only allowed me a small part in her story. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">there is a reason, i truly believe for liliana's life. she changed my life. she opened my eyes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86F1tVzg5H74v5-PC0YWtGFb9kVNa5ZHwhHjDH1rqvVXgZ_uqK1CtMKTniLPT7_r-JiHADqoFKxYs5foKsfvVOnz5GJrPyq8-1Gg8VrM9vSjiQGO8E5T7xuOSSnAMy8PSYba2htm7Ry-c/s1600/lili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86F1tVzg5H74v5-PC0YWtGFb9kVNa5ZHwhHjDH1rqvVXgZ_uqK1CtMKTniLPT7_r-JiHADqoFKxYs5foKsfvVOnz5GJrPyq8-1Gg8VrM9vSjiQGO8E5T7xuOSSnAMy8PSYba2htm7Ry-c/s1600/lili.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">my sweet liliana is with jesus and she is whole. her death did not go unnoticed. she is<i> not </i>forgotten. she has been cried for. she is loved. and she is so missed. my sweet liliana </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">is different from 163 million other orphans in this world. many who died today. many will die tomorrow. do you mourn for them like those who mourn for liliana?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">we need a wake up call. we need to realize that there are babies just like liliana dying. every.single.day. there are babies who go completely unnoticed. we have to make a difference. we have to wake up. we owe these children that much. God doesn't call us or kindly ask us to care for the orphans…He <i>commands</i> it</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Coming Soon', 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">you were so loved and will be so missed, sweet liliana. i forever will hold you in my heart. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Coming Soon', 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Coming Soon', 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>For everything comes from Him; everything exists by His power and is intended for His glory. To Him be glory evermore. -</em>Romans 11:36</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-51576649069010557352013-12-18T00:00:00.000-08:002013-12-17T21:03:05.001-08:00two yearstwo years ago we met a tiny little girl in xi'an china.<br />
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it was probably one of the hardest days of my life. it was also one of the best.<br />
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we went up to the sixth floor of a dimly lit building and walked into a shoe box sized room that was already filled to the rim with other families. all there for the same reason, to meet their babies.<br />
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when we said "YES" to Ainsley, we knew she came with many needs, and that was ok. we were prepared and thankful that God would choose us to be her family. but nothing, and i mean nothing, could have prepared us for the day we met this little one face to face.<br />
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she was scared. she was tiny. and she broke our hearts.<br />
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we spent about thirty minutes studying and watching this little one. she shook and cried and she was terrified. when she was finally placed in my mom's arms, it didn't get any better. she cried. my mom cried. dad cried. i cried and it was just a big hot mess.<br />
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we got back to the hotel and discovered we had been given a very tiny baby girl. she weighed about 12lbs and struggled to hold her head up. we cried. prayed. and decided to love this little one to pieces because she was desperate for it.<br />
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we spent three weeks in china loving this little girl to absolute pieces. and before our eyes miracles started happening. it started with a smile, a laugh, eye contact, and noises. then to eating real food and getting too chubby for her 9-12 month sleepers. and this was just in china. it was beautiful to watch.<br />
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once home from china it got really good. before our eyes she transformed. she formed a personality. conquered the "impossible" and amazed everyone she met. the little girl that was never supposed to walk or talk was running after being home three months.<br />
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God was so gracious to us.<br />
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Adoption is a beautiful picture of redemption. it's the gospel in our everyday lives and Ainsley is the most perfect example of that. God truly loves the orphan and He fights for them.<br />
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Today, Ainsley weighs 30lbs. is the sassiest thing you will ever meet and truly loves life. she is sweet and loving. she is fierce and a fighter. she loves to cause trouble and she will almost certainly call you a peacock. she is my heart and my little best friend and she reminds me daily of God's faithfulness.<br />
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we celebrate the miracle of you, Ainsley. you are the most beautiful fighter i've ever known and i thank Jesus daily that he allowed me to be your Big Sister. you rock my world and you are my hero. thank you for teaching me what life's really about and for teaching me what love really means. thank you for the passion you've brought to my life.<br />
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i'm in love with your spirit and your sassy stubborness that refuses to be defeated. i'm in love with everything about you, babycakes.<br />
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you're gonna conquer the world, darling. and i'm going to be your biggest cheerleader every step of the way.<br />
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i love you to the moon and back peacock. happy, happy gotcha day.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i will praise You because i am</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> fearfully </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">wonderfully</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> made. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-psalm 139:14</span>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-61358329561382059472013-11-25T19:36:00.001-08:002013-12-01T18:16:47.131-08:00Help Your Own<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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ready to step on some toes here, but lately i feel like it must be said.<br />
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ever since we have adopted from china the phrase "help your own" has come up, a lot.<br />
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don't get me wrong, i do understand where these well meaning people are coming from, but that does not mean i agree with them. there's the beauty of america summed up in one sentence.<br />
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when we began our adoptions, we were going completely on God's calling on our life and His will for our family. we didn't adopt for Facebook pictures, or to look "good" or so we could get ugly stares from women in grocery stores. we just didn't.<br />
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we adopted because God commands we as christians care for the orphans. He doesn't ever suggest it or tell us we can if we want to. He is VERY clear on orphan care and it's a command. (james 1:27)<br />
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i clearly remember quite a few very ugly Facebook statuses wrote about our family claiming that we were selfish to adopt from another country when there were plenty of children in our own backyard that needed help. why go around the world when you can simply go to another state? "help your own first."<br />
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reasonable, i assume, except for this one thing: no where in the bible does God say "Help the orphans in <i>your </i>country" He simply tells us to help the orphans (and widows) in their distress. our family did just that. we adopted three children who would have grown up in an institution. never knowing who this Jesus is.<br />
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if you are not doing anything to help anyone, i really don't have anything to say to your judgement on my family. if you believe we should "help our own" then by all means, get out there and help! there are multiple places/organizations that would be happy to have volunteers. but please, don't tell others who are helping someone somewhere that they should help someone different, when you yourself aren't doing anything to begin with. everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but please for the love of all that is good in this world, be kind and wise with what you say and type.<br />
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i believe every child deserves a family. no child ever deserves to be left to grow up in an orphanage. babies need mamas not caregivers. so, why does it matter where the needy child comes from? why should it matter what this child looks like or what language it speaks? a child is a child. and they all need a home.<br />
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God does not see us as americans, africans, chinese, russians, or europeans. He sees us as His children. we're all desperate for His mercy and His endless grace. we're all His. regardless. so, next time instead of raging the "Help Your Own" war. give grace and rejoice in the fact that a child has a home and is beloved. rejoice in the fact that there is one less orphan in the world. rejoice in the fact that a man/woman is willing to leave their home and go to the corners of the world to share His good news. and next time, get out there and change the world yourself. no matter where it is you end up.Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-40295936476572248172013-11-11T16:32:00.000-08:002013-11-11T16:32:36.541-08:00Orphan Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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a sunday and a day late, that is.<br />
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forgive me, guys.<br />
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Orphan Sunday came in as quickly as it left and I completely missed it other than a nice little Facebook post.<br />
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orphans and vulnerable children are so very close to my heart. they are so very close to God's heart. i love the idea of orphan sunday for many reasons. it isn't raising awareness about just adoption, or just sponsoring kids, or just reunification, it is bringing awareness to the plight that is The Least of These. Don't get me wrong, adoption is a beautiful thing. it is redemption in every definition of the word and i love adoption, but it's not always the answer.<br />
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below are some statistics about orphans and vulnerable children of the world.<br />
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According to UNICEF about 17.8 million children are true orphans. when i say true orphans i mean children that have lost both parents. 11 million children will die of starvation or preventable diseases. 8.5 million work as slaves or prostitutes. 2.3 million live with HIV/AIDS. all of these statistics add up to about 163 million needy children in the world.<br />
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the numbers are saddening and are so overwhelming at first glance. BUT there are 2.1 billion people who claim to be Christians. the truth is, if only 7% of these people would care for one child, these statistics wouldn't exist.<br />
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where are we the church as this crisis continues to rise? what are we doing to stop this tragedy. these children are growing up. in most countries at age 16 (or before) these precious children are kicked out of their orphanages and foster homes and put on the street.<br />
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where are we to help aid the mother that is desperate to be able to care for her child? where are we to take in the child that is desperate for a family of his own? why are we not raging war against the injustice that has become of this world.<br />
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when i was in Uganda i first hand experienced this injustice. i will never forget the mama i met in the village. she had a little girl that was probably no older than three and a very tiny baby that had down syndrome. she came to us begging for money to get formula for her baby. after more examination we begged this mama to allow us to take her and her baby to the clinic so the baby could receive further care. this mama came with everything she had ready to get help for her baby. mama and baby spent weeks in the hospital and this mama never left her little one. she loved her baby and without our help she would not have been able to get care at this hospital. this precious baby died in the hospital due to a heart condition. but this mama fought for her baby and never, ever left her side. it's a sad reality for so many parents. they are desperate to care for their child. they love their child, but our world is cruel & unfortunately without the help of others, it just isn't possible.<br />
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we have gotten to a mindset that because we have money, we are clearly a better fit for these children. this isn't always the case. in some cases, it absolutely is. but our research needs to be done. children are supposed to be in families, not institutions. babies need mamas not caregivers.<br />
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i have been blessed with three siblings adopted from China. it was truly one of the best experiences in my entire life. God loves the orphan and He truly places the lonely in families. Adoption makes families and it changes lives. If not for the adoption of my siblings they would never know who Jesus was and they would most likely have lived in an orphanage and been kicked out when they turned 13. most of the children that are put on the streets become the slaves and prostitutes. they don't choose this life. it's unfair and it's not just. Adoption is the difference. In some countries, children can never be reunited with birth families, but can be placed with adoptive families and that's where we come in. where are we church?<br />
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Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone is called to do something. God doesn't give us an option. He commands us to care for the orphan and widow. He commands us to step out and care for the Least of These. it's not a friendly suggestion, it's demanded of us.<br />
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You don't have to travel the world to change a life. It may take place in a foreign land or it may take place in your backyard, but we are all called to make a difference. You may not be able to change the world, but i promise we can all change the world for one. and sometimes, one is enough.<br />
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Let them know Him through our Love.<br />
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Happy [belated] Orphan Sunday.<br />
<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-73158088339057353052013-11-07T19:38:00.003-08:002013-11-07T19:38:30.327-08:00Waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">feel free to ask anyone that knows me, literally anyone. Patience is not ya girl's thing. i am in love with instant gratification. (which is honestly why weight watchers, long nails, and online shopping have never been my friend) i like now. in my hands. right when i want it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">so, as i'm in this season of waiting it is so not easy. it's actually hard. and i find myself constantly aching to return. i feel as if it is never going to happen, but i've began to realize something. God is teaching me. Yes, me. My stubborn, hard headed, my way or no way self the glorious thing that is patience. and in order to keep it real, lemme just say, </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">it sucks</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God's plans are pretty fantastic. much much better than mine for sure. and i'm so thankful that when i go off on my own path, he brings me in. ever so gently and patiently. He guides me right to where i'm needed at the moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God's been so patient with me for so many years. i have never been your rebellious teenager, but i have for sure been the girl, after being frustrated and basically losing all hope, thrown my hands up in the air and declared, "k God that's it! i quit. i'm not gonna do it. i can't take it anymore and i am so done." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">yet, here i am. so not done and so doing it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He is faithful, so faithful. and Because God is graceful, I am Brave. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">whether my waiting leaves me in America longer than planned or takes me to Uganda sooner than imagined. i'm here and i'm waiting for whatever it is that Jesus has for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ready or not, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">here i am, Lord send me. [isaiah 6:8]</span>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-50733211099164862522013-11-05T11:35:00.001-08:002013-11-05T11:35:05.966-08:00Aliciasometimes God places people in our life, even if only for a short time, and they change our worlds forever + for the better. Leaving you and the world better all because you knew them.<br />
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in june of 2012 i met someone like that and my life has not been the same since. meet Alicia. she is 23 years old, fearless, beautiful, in love with Jesus, and she is a miracle in every form of the word. i met alicia in the London airport on our way to Uganda. she was one of the sweetest spirits to ever cross my path and i instantly adored her (along with the rest of the team) Alicia and i were making our very first trip to Uganda and our excitement couldn't quite be contained. i remember our excited conversations like it was yesterday. we took too many selfies and paced that airport like it was our job. we just couldn't wait. we arrived in Uganda and Alicia fell head over heels in love. she was a natural. she loved every baby that came her way and because of her being a registered nurse, she helped even more. i chose to be Alicia's assistant during the trip. basically when we would set up a medical table Alicia would run the show and i would stand back in awe and help her with whatever she said was needed.<br />
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Alicia's heart was with a baby named Rita and i saw just how beautifully passionate she was. Alicia spent an entire day showing love to a tiny, dirty little girl in a village. she fed her granola bars out of bag, changed her into a shirt that was clean, kissed her, loved her and was truly Jesus. everyone knew that Rita was Alicia's baby.<br />
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i loved my time with her in uganda and i loved seeing her fall in love. there's nothing like seeing someone realize where God wants them for their life. it's magical and beautiful.<br />
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when we left uganda Alicia was on absolute fire for Jesus and the people of Uganda. She knew she would move back to Uganda. she knew that this was where God had called her. i was in awe of her. Alicia returned to Uganda quite a few times and moved there for almost 5 months.<br />
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This morning Alicia went to be with Jesus.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqIKQsfFiDgEbW2laFpFcamWJO7tMfRBEzFyiijpMFJsSIPzc8ulRlQ6BfwNiOS6Hzcu13m3iCdToXm50uf4trdL98GDZOKZD1vL3q8RHg64PgwcmJCl7ogmflcjaaxptole6Nm8_O3le/s1600/DSC_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqIKQsfFiDgEbW2laFpFcamWJO7tMfRBEzFyiijpMFJsSIPzc8ulRlQ6BfwNiOS6Hzcu13m3iCdToXm50uf4trdL98GDZOKZD1vL3q8RHg64PgwcmJCl7ogmflcjaaxptole6Nm8_O3le/s640/DSC_0227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
i am completely heartbroken by this. longing to hear her laugh again or to talk about our babies and sneak photos. i miss her so much. i'll miss our talks over Facebook and texts, i'll miss her laughing at me drinking mountain dew at 6am, i'll miss cafe javas, i'll miss walking dirt roads with her, i'll miss loving babies without her, and i'll just miss her.<br />
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Alicia was one of the most beautiful people i have ever met. she was fearless and brave and she served Jesus with her whole heart. i'm thankful that she is now whole and pain free in the arms of Jesus. I cannot even imagine the welcome home party that heaven is having for her right now. I'm sure it is beautiful and she is glowing as she always did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsP4cROTc0Vj0uG9BHq55ZpLy_5BCfG7-FRFEw4Z4HXPrvVM28-5MS-pCq_ft35h0TXNAxAy93IOzh1g1fcBRR6daCDHli8eb74GpCefvbplWQx3qLI9cAnXwFijBBLF_vnmI7Iwv3-uL5/s1600/DSC_0565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsP4cROTc0Vj0uG9BHq55ZpLy_5BCfG7-FRFEw4Z4HXPrvVM28-5MS-pCq_ft35h0TXNAxAy93IOzh1g1fcBRR6daCDHli8eb74GpCefvbplWQx3qLI9cAnXwFijBBLF_vnmI7Iwv3-uL5/s640/DSC_0565.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Alicia was a world changer. despite having CF she served others with everything in her. she loved every single person she came into contact with. people knew Him through Alicia's love. she was a warrior and i'm thankful that i was privileged to know her, even if only for a short time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogrP6QyJVPimjyeywVWtrZwItAw6AlHJXTlUr3syiD_-C0JsMnBv7hhvgS7yDZMyyw9VHMgd-nWnP9aC97vfFWl49d3aJz-y35yL2HSgsLq7wuiVGbIkGWNhKL5gwUnustzT3ZWgzapsd/s1600/alicia4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogrP6QyJVPimjyeywVWtrZwItAw6AlHJXTlUr3syiD_-C0JsMnBv7hhvgS7yDZMyyw9VHMgd-nWnP9aC97vfFWl49d3aJz-y35yL2HSgsLq7wuiVGbIkGWNhKL5gwUnustzT3ZWgzapsd/s640/alicia4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
i can't wait to dance around an african drum in grass skirts with you again. i can't wait to see your smiling face and hug you. i hold on to the promise that i will see you again and oh, how excited i am for that day.<br />
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Uganda will never, ever be the same without you, Alicia.<br />
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and in the beautiful words of Alicia herself,<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If God can transform my life and send me to Uganda, He can do anything. I encourage you to surrender your life to Jesus. If He has put a call on your life have faith in him to help you fulfill it. He will give you the strength and He will never leave you or forsake you. God does not call the equipped, he equips the called. There is overwhelming peace in knowing you are doing what God wants you to. No matter how hard it might be, He will give you the strength to endure.</span><br /><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em>"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." -</em></strong><strong><em>Philippians 4:13</em></strong></div>
</i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIumipIbghfuWA_0bgPl5xbiWVY-VtfCQJCIxxTzl0tUxTCw7ImTO1g62fvNRvtObv5CMw60Dqt9fJXd7a0fH5ljkZBS2KieYVBfgqmwcNSWJxOMAxbpEwcTBW-LWZe_n8KA4P1JS6RFij/s1600/alicia3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIumipIbghfuWA_0bgPl5xbiWVY-VtfCQJCIxxTzl0tUxTCw7ImTO1g62fvNRvtObv5CMw60Dqt9fJXd7a0fH5ljkZBS2KieYVBfgqmwcNSWJxOMAxbpEwcTBW-LWZe_n8KA4P1JS6RFij/s640/alicia3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>please lift up Alicia's family and friends in the coming days as they deal with such a great loss. </i>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-44152974632190266322013-11-04T18:27:00.001-08:002013-11-04T18:27:27.091-08:00World Changers<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">"usually those who are crazy enough to believe they can change the world are the ones that do."</span></blockquote>
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i've met quite a few world changers in my life time. all beautiful and such unique creatures. all so selfless and passionate and just full of love.<br />
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one of the most influential people in my life to this day is Amanda deLange. Amanda gave up her life to serve the least of these. she spent most of her days covered in spit up and slobber. she exhausted every resource and fought for every single baby that came to her. she lived in china and was a foster mama to over one hundred babies. she gave up an amazing job opportunity, left what she knew and started out with six tiny babies in a small province in china. she dropped everything and did what she was created to do, love these babies. Amanda knew what was important in life. she knew that even though she couldn't change the whole world, she could change the world for just one and that one was enough. Amanda changed the lives of many "ones" i've never met someone that was more fierce, devoted, and passionate about what she did. Amanda was one of the most beautiful fighters i have ever been blessed to meet. from the time i met her, i was in awe. when i grow up, i want to be amanda. i want to realize like she did that changing one tiny babies life was more than enough. she once told me that if her whole life had come down to saving one babies life it would have all been worth it. what a testimony. she went into the dying rooms of chinese orphanages and said "i choose that one" when the world found no value in a baby she found immeasurable value. she saw what could be not what was. amanda was diagnosed with cancer shortly after i had returned home from china after visiting her. she changed my life. and i am forever thankful for her impact. amanda died in july of 2012 and she fought the good fight. i cannot imagine the welcome home party that awaited her in heaven. all of her sweet chinese babies and jesus. i can see him welcoming her with "well done my good and faithful servant" amanda is missed terribly. her selfless loving, fierce, sassiness is missing from the world and we all ache to see her again.<br />
amanda was a world changer. amanda was a unique and beautiful person. i want to be just like amanda.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuINyIHEcW0WT33338Cj7OzQTiVDxkL5CSPNvD1vE_b_QaGUSBJdGYe967AtTAJ2-LZVenmj-nbOzYEtslbenFGP5mAu6Xp8ZgLzwh919MF3IpRUKpQlfSEHZhSs5uwYxiqO4_Fyiss9QW/s1600/lili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuINyIHEcW0WT33338Cj7OzQTiVDxkL5CSPNvD1vE_b_QaGUSBJdGYe967AtTAJ2-LZVenmj-nbOzYEtslbenFGP5mAu6Xp8ZgLzwh919MF3IpRUKpQlfSEHZhSs5uwYxiqO4_Fyiss9QW/s640/lili.jpg" width="438" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>one of amanda's babies. meet liliana. i found her in an orphanage & brought her to starfish. <br /> thankful that she and amanda have been reunited & amanda can love her until i see them again. </i></span><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154031333641885020.post-66318020777002420482013-10-13T19:19:00.000-07:002013-10-13T19:21:36.881-07:00Roberti've kissed a lot of babies.<br />
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i've held even more babies.<br />
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but no baby will ever compare to robert. he stole my heart and still has pieces that i will never ever get back. i met him in a baby home in june 2012.<br />
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he had a look to him. he craved attention. he was desperate for love.<br />
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and i was desperate to give it to him.<br />
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i spent three weeks loving robert with everything in me.<br />
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the entire first day with him was one that i hold in my heart. it's forever etched. i found him in the corner alone and made it my goal to love him for the day. to make him smile. and oh, i did.<br />
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i spent about six hours with robert. we played games, sang songs, walked around, and did normal things. i helped him eat, watched him get a bath, and put him in pajamas and kissed him and hugged him endlessly before putting him to bed.<br />
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i laid him in his crib and said "goodnight robert. see you tomorrow" and he said "goodnight mama." and my heart broke. this sweet sweet little one called me mama. mama is forever. mama is the healer of booboos and the bandager of all broken hearts. mama is the best thing in the world. and i wasn't robert's mama. and i couldn't be.<br />
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i kissed him goodnight. walked back to my room. and cried. i cried hard.<br />
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the reality of my day and the orphan crisis began to sink in. the reality that there are 147 million children just like robert who long for a mama to kiss them goodnight. i could play mama to robert for the time i was there, but that wasn't good enough.<br />
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babies need mommies. not nannies or care givers or directors. they need mamas.<br />
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i know that the number is overwhelming and i know that i can't save them all, but i can make a difference for one. and that i will do.<br />
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i don't think jesus would like babies being in orphanages.<br />
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is it better than the streets? absolutely. is it better than being in a home? never.<br />
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orphanages aren't the answer. families are.<br />
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we get in a mind set that orphanages are ok because babies get food and aren't on the streets. while that's great, it's not good enough. we need to rise up and rage war against this injustice. we need to fight and beg and do everything in our will for this to not be a normal thing.<br />
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if a parent cannot care for their child, we need to assist them. encourage them. and as christians support them. not take their babies. many parents love their children and want their children, but are just not able to support them. they feel as if their only choice is to give them up. it shouldn't be like this.<br />
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we need to decide that this isn't ok and it never will be ok. for all the children that go to bed without a kiss goodnight, for all the children that don't know the touch of a mommy, for all of the children yearning for a home, we need to stand up.<br />
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for all the roberts of the world, we need to make a change.<br />
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and there's no better time than right now.Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01840023946289362468noreply@blogger.com0