I have been thinking a lot about this blog, and not knowing what to write. My mom kind of forced me into creating something to send her friends updates on my Africa mission trip. She thought of creating a newsletter, but a blog is so much easier (I thought). I have had experience in blogging through my sister's blog Little Boat, and my tumblr. These were fun and I loved blogging for Lexie, so I decided to get my own blog on blogger. I have decided that this blog is going to consist of everything I love. Not just about Africa--which was the original plan. I want to show what I cook, my daily musings, what I have worn, and just what is on my mind. I hope you all don't mind!
So this week I have been incredibly lazy. Other than packing up the house to move this weekend I have been a first class couch potato this week! I keep reminding myself to soak it up, because I won't be able to do this for an entire month. This excuse has helped me justify my laziness.
The one thing I have done productive this week is start reading a book, Forgotten God by Francis Chan. Chan is the author that also wrote Crazy Love in case you have read that (if you haven't I highly reccomend it!). Forgotten God is about how in our society the Holy spirit has become "forgotten" or neglected. It has been an interesting book--and encouraging.
One of the points that really convicted me so far is--
"basically what difference does your presence make?" pg91
I have had this discussion quite a bit in my bible studies. When I hear this I think of Africa. A lot of times people go and they perform a service to people like feeding the hungry or helping the hurting, While all this is good and Jesus tells you to do this, what ends up happening is you have just performed a service project. Nobody met Jesus, and no names were written in the book of life. I have done so many service projects and have volunteered, but never once have I sat down and talked about the Lord to the people I have helped. So my presence makes no difference if I don't go and follow out the great commission--to go and make disciples. I desperately don't want this to be the case in Africa.
I will continue with my book talk as I continue in the book, but for now I am off to make chocolate peanut butter cookies for the kind gentlemen helping us move to our new house!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
16 days
So today I have to write some thank you notes and form a packing list. I wish I knew exactly what I need to bring--I hat forgetting things--but I also hate overpacking.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Isaiah 58
“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
When I read this 2 months ago, my jaw dropped. This is what I want my life to be about. I have not sure about going into missions or what I want to do after high school, but I know I want to take care of people. I want to be with the lonely, feed the hungry, show broken people their worth. I just want to follow Christ. This is my goal, this is my hope. It is in Christ, and that is what I want my life to be about. I am leaving in seventeen days for Africa. I am so incredibly excited and nervous. I do not know exactly all of the ins and outs of what we will be doing there but I know we will be showing the love of Jesus and thats all that matters.
Thank you to everyone who have given in order for me to go. I can't explain to you how much you have blessed me. I am so grateful for everything. God has provided and he has provided more tahn enough. I am completely in awe! I would have never even imagined this happening, that God would really provide, but he did. He has met my needs and beyond so that others can go on missions similar to mine.
-----molls
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
When I read this 2 months ago, my jaw dropped. This is what I want my life to be about. I have not sure about going into missions or what I want to do after high school, but I know I want to take care of people. I want to be with the lonely, feed the hungry, show broken people their worth. I just want to follow Christ. This is my goal, this is my hope. It is in Christ, and that is what I want my life to be about. I am leaving in seventeen days for Africa. I am so incredibly excited and nervous. I do not know exactly all of the ins and outs of what we will be doing there but I know we will be showing the love of Jesus and thats all that matters.
Thank you to everyone who have given in order for me to go. I can't explain to you how much you have blessed me. I am so grateful for everything. God has provided and he has provided more tahn enough. I am completely in awe! I would have never even imagined this happening, that God would really provide, but he did. He has met my needs and beyond so that others can go on missions similar to mine.
-----molls
Sunday, May 22, 2011
24 DAYS
24 days untill I am off! It is comign fast, and I almost wish it would slow down because I know it will go so fast. God has provided generously, I cannot believe I doubted or even thought for once that he might not provide. I have learned so much from this experience it is mind blowing, and I am just so ready to see everything else he has in store. I am trusting that I will be safe in Uganda, that has been a scary thing to think about, but I know he works good in all things and that he will be by my side the entire time. However, that is a thing I think is becoming more scary--- I feel vulnerable mostly because my family and friends won't be there to protect me. I am excited though, I know I will be around an awesome group of girls and leaders (I have talked to a lot of them over Facebook). They all have been incredibly encouraging, and it has been the greatest blessing to talk to them.
well thats all I can think of. I am getting ready to go on a backpacking trip this week and maybe get a small taste of what Africa will be like (maybe roughing it to a small extent :) )
XOXO Molls
well thats all I can think of. I am getting ready to go on a backpacking trip this week and maybe get a small taste of what Africa will be like (maybe roughing it to a small extent :) )
XOXO Molls
Sunday, March 13, 2011
weekend
So this weekend we had workship weekend. It was a very neat experience and I most definitely stepped out of my comfort zone! I was one of the speakers the two others were my friends, and they both spoke before me. I was definitely nervous. I spoke about what God has been showing me lately. Mostly about trusting him and surrendering to his will. I have been blessed profusely through this process and trip, I can't imagine what will happen when I get back and I cannot wait to see.
One of the neat things I was able to experience was on sturday everyone went of three missions. One for biulding and repairing something (I dont remember) A kids carnival at a refugee apartment complex, and a sports camp at another refugee apartment. The last one was the event I was able to help out. It was so incredible, I met 3 girls my age from Kenya, and a little boy from Uganda! It was so neat to here their point of view of Uganda, and America. They really were thankful for their circumstances. Now they were not in beautifull condos or a mansion, they were in the poorer part of nashville, and in refugee apartments! It made me realized how blessed I am and how much God has given me. I am so happy I was able to experience what I did this week end it was incredible.
One of the neat things I was able to experience was on sturday everyone went of three missions. One for biulding and repairing something (I dont remember) A kids carnival at a refugee apartment complex, and a sports camp at another refugee apartment. The last one was the event I was able to help out. It was so incredible, I met 3 girls my age from Kenya, and a little boy from Uganda! It was so neat to here their point of view of Uganda, and America. They really were thankful for their circumstances. Now they were not in beautifull condos or a mansion, they were in the poorer part of nashville, and in refugee apartments! It made me realized how blessed I am and how much God has given me. I am so happy I was able to experience what I did this week end it was incredible.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
colossians 3:15-17
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
almost there
I have less than 4 months to go untill I go to Africa. I am excited, I am nervous, I am stressed, I am overwhelmed, and I am gratefull. Every time I become weary I remind myself how much God loves me and is behind me. I have began to grow assurance in His will, and I am trying to let go and surrender it to him everyday. It is most defintely a battle, I am stubborn, and it is really scary but He's the one who made it happen. I have assurance he will see it through.
This is a video of Kampala, The capital of Uganda, and what I have heard is similar to Busia, the place I will be going.
This is a video of Kampala, The capital of Uganda, and what I have heard is similar to Busia, the place I will be going.
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