join me on this journey

If you've been following along with my blog the past few months, you know I'm returning to Haiti for the summer with Praying Pelican Mission. I encourage you to follow the link and learn more about Praying Pelican. It's an awesome organization that offers short-term mission trips for churches in North America. I can honestly say, it was a tool God used to wreck my life the summer of 2012 and directed me onto His path. The significance to the name 'Praying Pelican' is in times of scarce food, a mother pelican will peck her self until the point of death in order to feed her babies. Just as Christ sacrificed His life for the sake of our sins. 

This Friday, my journey will begin with a spring conference at Praying Pelican's headquarters in Minnesota. My friend, Caroline, is along for the same ride as myself. Thankfully, we have the same flights together which will make the airport not as terrible. We'll be meeting other PPM staff, hearing all that is planned for the summer, and just worshipping the gracious Lord that allows us to be apart of all this serving! Other than that, I'm not sure what to expect at this conference. But I can only imagine it'll be good. 

I cannot express how anxious I am to get the summer rolling and meet teams across North America in Haiti! At times I don't feel at all ready for any of this responsibility but I've heard once (on Pinterest) from Margaret Shepherd, "Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith". How true! How am I suppose to continue growing if I don't listen to the callings God gives me? How am I suppose to know more of who God is if I'm not putting myself out there to be His hands and feet? He is our refuge and our fortress therefore there is no reason not to follow His callings. 

Caroline and I will be at the airport bright and early Friday morning, ready to board a plane to Minnesota. That in itself should be an experience because I'm from Mississippi which is a warm place and I hear Minnesota has this weird, white, cold stuff. I think it's cold snow? I ask you to pray for us and for the Lord to direct us every step of the way!

do your best

Come on, brain. You can do it. Only 14 more days of classes which is 3 weeks and 4 days of finals is separating you from freedom. Focus. Give it all you got.

Semesters are always great until the last few weeks until it ends. My mind goes into break mode way too soon. But it can't shut down now! I still have to study my hiney off for finals! Why do all college students fall into this trap at the end of our hard-earned semester? I will never know. 

Lets read Colossians 3:23. "Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance". 

What? Really? God, it's school though. Sigh, ok. 

Do your best. I hope that's an encouragement to you now. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing. My Marriage and Family class could be a tool God uses for people I will meet in the future. You're next trip to the grocery store, you could find an opportunity to show the love of Christ. Always do your best for the Lord now because we have a beautiful time of rest awaiting us.  

The Word and coffee will be my strength through the next few weeks. 

i can be weak

As I sit on the floor of my room, looking at my opened suitcase, my pup looking at me, I'm gently reminded that I wasn't created to be strong. My strength doesn't come from me nor will it ever. If I was strong, where would my need for God be? So often, I become wrapped up in the world and believe the lie that I have to be strong in everything. I guess that's why these sweet reminders from the Lord are so well, sweet. 

When I'm asked to lead a team on Wednesday nights, or lead a group of 7th grade girls at Disciple Now weekend, or get accepted to an awesome internship with an incredible non-profit organization like Praying Pelican, I automatically think I need to be strong and not show any weaknesses. A lie. This is what is so lovely about our Lord! He shines His glorious light through our weaknesses. "I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord" (Psalm 121:1-2). His Spirit in us is sufficient for any situation, trouble that comes our way. I don't have to constantly worry where my strength will come from. It's a scary thought if I ever had to rely on my human strength because I wouldn't make it very long. So grateful for His strength in me. 

Why am I packing? My friend and I were asked to lead a prayer walk at a ladies retreat this weekend. At first, I was hesitant because these ladies have lived more life than me. They need to leading ME in a prayer walk. But God gives us various opportunities for a purpose. I only need to trust and rely in His strength. Thank You for Your strength and the peace within Your strength, Lord! 

Praying for an awesome time of visiting, growing, refreshing, and relaxing weekend with sweet ladies at our church!