Batteries...

I was looking under the couch, and between the cushions for the remote the other night.
It was dark, and I couldn't see. So I opened the hall closet, and grabbed the flash light resting exactly where it should've been, in the top drawer of the storage container.
I turned it on, but there was no light. I shook it a bit, and still, nothing happened. I then opened it up, and realized it was without batteries.
Even though the flashlight was easy to find because it was exactly where it should be, it was useless because of its lack of connection to a power source, the batteries.
Often I get so busy, running everywhere, serving everyone, and being where I'm supposed to be. I forget how important being connected to a power source is.
I don't mean batteries, coffee, or even sleep.
I mean God's Word. It is powerful. It changes lives. It gives hope, peace, purpose, courage, freedom, and another chance. If I bustle around, doing everything, but forget or neglect to be in the Word daily, I am useless.
My works, words, ideas, or goodness can never do anything real for anyone. It's only Jesus, and His Word that can change a life. So even though I show up to serve, if I'm not being filled up with power from the Word before, its just draining an already empty girl.
Remember, the Bible renews, restores, brings rest,  rejuvenates, and rights relationships.
What have you been reading this week? How has it changed you?
Love, M

high pursuit.

I was reading a book (Praying for your Future Husband by Gunn and Goyer) earlier this week, and a sentence stopped me in my tracks. I underlined it, starred it, and pondered it a while before going back to reread it.
"The inexplicable beauty of God's forever love is that, as the Relentless Lover, He never stops pursuing us because He always wants us back."
It blew my mind.
I know that God loves me, but I think in the midst of a busy life, I forgot what that really means.
He is actively pursuing me. His love doesn't change depending on my actions, or lack of. His love doesn't run out. It's always there. It is constant, even when it doesn't make sense, I forget about it, refuse to acknowledge it, or don't feel it. He loves me.
I know this isn't a new concept, but I just needed to be reminded of this. I needed to take the time, to sit at the feet of Jesus, and rest in His love for me.
"I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." - Jeremiah 31:3
"We know what real live is because Jesus gave up his life for us." - 1 John 3:16
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." - Proverbs 8:17
"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” -  Zephaniah 3:17
Resting in His love, M :)

Have you ever had a moment that you knew you were exactly where you should be, doing exactly what you should be doing?
I won't lie, those moments are rare. Most of my life is just doing life. I go to work, I make dinner, I hang out with friends, and there are days I just want to get through. But occasionally, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be, doing what I'm supposed to do.
Last night was one of those rare moments.
A few months ago one of my best friends and I were talking. Were in a weird spot. 25 and single. It's not necessarily normal. Especially in the church. We don't really fit anywhere. Women's ministry is wonderful, but they are married and have kids, some even our age. We are at different places in life. There is a lot of wisdom to be gained from spending time with them, but it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. There is young adult ministry, but again, were just at different places. No longer fresh from high school and living at our parents, we have bills, and are ready to settle down. So, here we are, stuck awkwardly in the middle.
So, we talked and started praying about about starting a get together night with other single girls in their mid/late twenties /early thirties and encouraging each other.
We had no idea what that looked like.  We discussed if we wanted to do a book study, a specific section of the Bible, or just share what were learning throughout the week. We went out to dinner, and ended up looking over a few books. The book topics were diverse.
We prayed, and ended up choosing one. Not sure if anyone else would even be interested in what we wanted to study, we ordered the books, and decided to trust God.
We didn't know if it would just be the two of us. We were feeling slightly cynical and discouraged, so I began to pray for girls to come. Not for twenty girls, but for maybe a couple of girls that were in the same place as us.
Wednesday night I ran into a friend at church, and we started talking. Somehow this study got brought into conversation. She asked if she could pass my number onto her cousin. Not thinking much of it, I agreed.
She texted me before I even got home, and she came to Bible study last night. She shared how she had been struggling with the same issues as us, and had been praying for months to find Christian girlfriends her age and in her area. We are all 25, and all live 5 minutes from each other. (How good is God?!?) She shared what God is doing in her life, and my heart was so full of joy. The study we chose is exactly what she had been talking to God about. So, we opened the Word, prayed for each other, and shared life together. It was amazing to hear exactly what we were all praying in the past few months, and how God is working it out, with each other as answers to prayer.
I cannot wait to see what God has in store. I'm giddy. It is such a delightful feeling to know I am being used by a real God. And that He really is working things together for my good. And for this moment, I'm exactly where I am supposed to be, doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing.
So, Happy Friday.
Love, M :)
Jeremiah 29:11-12
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Urgent prayer needed.

I received this email this afternoon. Please join me in praying for Marcelino, Sofia, their children, and the orphans they care for in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Hi Friends. I am still Stateside but just received an email from a friend in Bolivia. She just let me know that Marcelino is currently in the hospital because he is bleeding a lot. According to Sofia, she says that the doctors are concerned that he may die. If you would please pray for him to be able to heal from this and recover quickly. Also, please keep the children in your prayers as they just moved to a new location and all of this is pretty traumatic for them. I am sorry that I have no more information, but will let you know if I do. Thank you for your prayers!
Blessings, Kathryn
James 5:16b "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Love, M

Start dreaming...

How is it already mid January? I am amazed. Where have the last few weeks gone? Between friends in town, work, and getting sick, time has flown by.
I spent some time this weekend reflecting on the past year, and making plans for this year.
This year is so fresh, so full of possibilities. What will become of 2013? Will it be full of adventure? Love? Joy? Conquering goals? Newness? Travel?
I have talked with a few of my closest girlfriends about this lately. It seems like we are all sitting on the cusp of big things right now. We have allowed ourselves to dream out loud, and wonder what God has for us. It is an exciting yet scary conversation to have. We wonder how to get from here to there. We question if what we are doing now is really opening doors for our dreams. We plan, as single girls, wondering if maybe this will be the year things change. We want to be where His has us, but sometimes we are unsure what that looks like.
So, what are your big dreams for this year?
It's okay to dream big dreams. We have a good God, and He is faithful.
I am dreaming for: my feet to be on South American soil again, friends to know Jesus, adventures alone, and to be used wherever I am.
I am excited to watch as my friends and I see God to be faithful, and as He guides our steps to whatever is next.
Hello 2013, I can't wait.
Love, M :)

A mailbox surprise!

Over a year ago, I decided to sponsor a little girl through Compassion International. In March of 2012, I was able to meet Karen, and spend the day with her in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I randomly will receive letters from her. Yesterday's mail contained my favorite letter. I wanted to share it, because it brought so much joy to my heart. It has been translated, so the English is a little bit rough.

"Dear: Michelle
Hello Michelle, I greet you with our Lord's peace. Karen is taking care well of her Princesa and she gives it a bath and plays a lot. Karen's dog is well and Karen gives her dog a bath and takes care of it a lot. Karen remembers a lot of all the things that you and her had together and also Karen remembers well how you played in the park together and remembers that you swing together and how she slide with her princess. I dismiss with a strong hug of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Jesus takes care of you a lot wherever you go and find, with love.
Karen's sister"

A girl on a different continent remembers that I played on the slide and swing set with her one day almost a year ago? And she still has the doll I gave her? My heart is full. Is there anything better than investing in people?

I am so blessed. What a sweet surprise in my mailbox!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love, M

Wait, what's going on?

The other night I drove down the road to meet a friend and her parents at a restaurant. I had already eaten dinner at home, I was just going for the company, and to celebrate my friend's birthday. We've been friends since the beginning of high school, and I love her family.
We had a sweet time of conversation, and laughs, and then it was time to leave. My friend's parents started to get up, and put their jackets on. They were going to stop at the grocery store before heading home. I asked my friend if she drove separate, she responded no, with a confused look. I asked her then what are we going to do. How were we going to hang out, or get home? She laughed and reminded me, that we could take my car.
Somewhere in those few moments, I forgot I was a grown up. I wasn't a high school freshman anymore. I had a car. I had freedom. I had a home outside of my parents. I had a full time job. I was 25.
It was the strangest feeling to completely forget the reality of the now, and dwell in the dreams of the past, even if only for a minute.
We laughed about it, and left the restaurant.
I was baffled at myself for forgetting.
But how often do I forget that Jesus saved me and changed everything? How often do I live in the past, full of sin, mistakes, and regrets? My mind becomes tricked into thinking that is my reality. Sometimes I forget and live like the selfish, lost little girl from before. But that's not true. Jesus changed everything! I do not need to live in the past. He took care of that. I can focus, live in, and enjoy the now. I have freedom, I have a future, I have purpose.
It is a good idea to stop and remember that we don't have to live in the past. That's done. We have freedom to dream, adventure, and live life to the fullest, all because of Jesus.
Happy Friday!
Love, M :)