Tribute to My Papa

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!!!

Thank you for always being there for me.

Thank you for teaching me many, many things.

Thank you for being crazy and fun with me!

Thank you for being you.

 Thank you for all the encouragement and support 

that you have given me through the years.
For all the things you have taught me

and all the advice you have given me.

Thank you for hanging out with me

and all the goofing around.

Thank you for being my Dad

and one of my best friends! 

I love you!!!

3.0 Summer Missional Internship and other News

Hey Everyone!! It has been awhile, but I have started my summer in Mobile, Alabama. I am doing an internship with 3.0 Ministry. There are 25 interns in all and we are divided around Mobile doing missional work with the church and getting out in the community. I wanted to tell a little about it and what I have been busy doing. :-)

We are all in various sites around Mobile working with low income or poverty level communities and one site that is involved with refugees from many different countries.

I am at the site of Whistler United Methodist. Me and 3 other interns have put together a Kids Camp that will last until the end of July. So far, we have 50 kids registered! That is already 20 more than the final number last year. People have been very responsive and they have been spreading the word for us. We are running the camp from Tuesday to Thursday each week for ages 5-13 from 12-3 P.M. We are also partners with the Mobile Bay Area Food Bank. And from 12-12:30 the kids who come get a free lunch! That has been a definite plus for many people in the area. Everyday we have Lunch, then some free-time, then we have a Bible Story, Arts and Crafts, Snack, and more free-time, then time to go home.

The community of Whistler is located right outside of Prichard, AL. Technically, it has been annexed into Prichard along with 8 Mile. All have various levels of low income and poverty. But, everyone has been open to us being here.

I also wanted to tell ya'll about some other things that we have gotten to do while down here. Our main job as interns is to build relationships with the church and it's surrounding community. Which, our main focus is the kids camps. But, we are also doing things in and around Mobile, to build relationships with other age groups and other people. We had a Refugee Dinner one night that brought in people from at least 10 different countries! It was amazing being around the and experiencing that. They were all wonderful. We have also hung out with MFUGE for a day. MFUGE is one of the camps partnered with Lifeway that does camps and things during the summer. They also have CentriKids and CentriFuge. We went to visit them in Happy Hills, which is right around the corner from Whistler and basically one of the projects of Prichard. We got to learn what they did, which is similar to what we are doing, and hung out with the kids there. This past Tuesday, we partnered with an organization called The Grove and served dinner for the homeless at 15th Place. It is located downtown and they serve meals for the homeless everyday I think. It was an honor really getting to serve them. They were very appreciative and thankful.

We have a lot more coming up in the next few weeks and month, but I will right more about that later when they happen and I can talk more about it! It has definitely been a great experience so far and I'm loving every minute of it. I will also post some pictures soon as well! Please be praying for us all here. We are working hard and trying not to get tired. Some sickness has been going around, which I did catch. :-/ But, I went to the doctor today and got some meds. So, hopefully I will be doing better soon.

A Look to the Past

It has been 3 years since I graduated high school. 

Balloons of Inspiration

During the school year, our church has a program for kids that is called AWANA. Kids from 2 years old to 6th or 7th grade take part in AWANA. They would meet every Wednesday night taking part in fellowship, prayer, singing songs, and Bible learning. Most importantly they learned and memorized the beautiful Word of God. Yesterday was their last AWANA meeting for the year. And they got to celebrate with a giant balloon release followed by cake and ice cream of course!

The coolest thing about this balloon release...each balloon represents a Bible verse learned and memorized by a child....

there were over 300 balloons released.

Basically, these kids are an inspiration. They are inspiring with their dedication to coming each week, inspiring with their yearning for the Word of God. Yes, they are inspiring and encouraging.

So, enjoy these pictures and be inspired.

Hiking Adventures, Exploring Downtown, and The Blue Angels

Another semester of college has come to an end for me. It is weird to think that I am entering my fourth year of college. Technically by hours, I am not a Senior yet, but still. The fact that I will be here for my fourth year in the fall is very surreal and mind-blowing.

Classes ended last week, yet I am still in Tuscaloosa hanging out with my friends that are still here. I am excited for the summer, but that will be another post. For the past week, we've been hanging out, going out to eat, watching movies, going to the lake to swim, making midnight runs to McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, cooking out by the river, and going on adventures that we don't know where they will lead us.

Earlier this week, we went to one of the lakes around Tuscaloosa, Lake Nicol. Where we went hiking down the edge of it. It was definitely an adventure and very fun, and that area is definitely one of my new favorite places, can you see why?

Another outing that we had was a trip to Lake Tuscaloosa, where we did a little swimming.

We also ate at a great place in Northport, Alabama called City Cafe. Which is so close to Tuscaloosa that we are always there as well. They have a great small downtown area that holds City Cafe and many different antique and other shops.

It's amazing how much we overlook all the really cool places in Tuscaloosa. But, being students, we usually stay on campus and don't have time to see everything.

Last Saturday, we also got to go to the Air Show that was in Tuscaloosa and see the Blue Angels. It was my first time to see them!

Forgiveness and Freedom

There is freedom in forgiveness. But, first you have to be forgiven.

The beauty of this is that we have been forgiven. The Sovereign God has forgiven us. He no longer sees our imperfections or mess ups. He sees the inside of us. The inside that is now filled with His spirit. We are filled with Him and His glory. We are made perfect through him.

Yet, we still fail.

Simply because we are human. Our flesh battles our spirit and we fail every time. And it hurts. It tears you up and breaks you down. And sometimes, it doesn't only affect you, but those around you.

As a family and body of Christ, we are called to point out each others faults and wrongdoings. Even when it may hurt another person or hurt you for having to do it. Because, no one likes to be told they are wrong. But we have to be told, through love. Even if we don't learn the first time, we still need to be told. We need to be encouraged to overcome our sin.

But, there is one thing we sometimes overlook.

We have to recognize our sin, ourselves.

And when you recognize your sin, you become repulsed by it. So much, that with every fiber in your being you never want to succumb to that sin again. Ever.

And the beauty of finally recognizing this, gives you the most absolute freedom that you will ever experience. The freedom that can only come from a Holy, Sovereign, Forgiving, Just, Loving, Caring, God. A freedom that is like no other.

A freedom that empowers you. A freedom that gives you peace. A freedom that enables you beyond your own control. A freedom that you can't live without. A freedom that freely comes from God.

You only have to take that one hard step. Don't look back at the mess behind you, because it only slows you down. Looking back and seeing all the destruction reminds you that you failed. You already know that, you don't need anymore reminders.

We have to press on toward Jesus. The One who gave us the freedom and the forgiveness. The One who enables you to forget the past and change the future.

But, what about the people who you seemed to leave behind? The ones who find it hard to forgive. The ones who don't know if they can encourage you to overcome your sin? The ones who find it too hard?

You just have to love. Because, that is what Christ did for us. He loved us enough to forgive us of everything that we have done. He bared it all on the Cross and more! He took it all away with love and forgave us.

And now, we have to forgive each other as He forgave us. And cover each other with love.

Words are fleeting, only lasting for mere moments. But, our words have to be true. And our actions have to be louder. People sometimes don't listen to words, but they can't help but see actions. We have to be different. How can we not be? We are changed forever by the grace of God and are never held under the dominion of sin again! It is no longer a part of us!! Why do we keep letting it come back? Because, our flesh battles our spirit. It is a battle that will never stop, but now because of the freeing forgiveness that we have received from Christ, we can't lose.

It hurts not to be forgiven by those around you, but it is freeing to know that you are forgiven by the One who truly saves you and wants the best for you.

And believe me, I know from experience. 
____________________________________________________________________________
"Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body,
arm yourselves also with the same attitude,
because
he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
As a result, he does not live
the rest of his earthly life
for evil human desires,
but rather for the will of God.
For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do --
living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
They think it strange that you do not plunge with them
into the same flood of dissipation,
and they heap abuse on you.
But they will have to give account to Him
who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
For this is the reason the gospel was preached
even to those who are now dead,
so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body,
but
live according to God in regard to the spirit.
The end of all things is near.
Therefore
be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers a multitude of sins.
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms.
If anyone speaks, he should do it as speaking the very words of God.
If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides,
so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.
Amen."

-- 1 Peter 4:1-11

One Day Without Shoes

Tomorrow is One Day Without Shoes 2010!

If you don't know anything about this awesome event, let me inform you:

• 1. It is awesome!
• 2. It raises awareness for kids who don't have shoes which leads to
• 3.Was started and supported by TOMS Shoes.

Now, if you don't know what TOMS Shoes are, you should. I personally do not have any...yet! But, I hope that one day soon I will be lucky enough to have a pair. TOMS come in many different colors and patterns for men, women, and children. Every time you buy a pair of TOMS, another pair gets donated to a child who has no shoes at all!  

Now, back to the event One Day Without Shoes. I was happy to participate in this event last year and I'm so excited to do it again this year! However, I can't outdo my roomie who has been barefoot all week so far.
Annually there is a day that you can participate in and go barefoot. Now, some of you work and aren't allowed to go barefoot. But, if you want to try it anyways, there is a letter you can print out and show your boss or employer and maybe they will be so kind to let you go barefoot. The point of all of this is to raise awareness for children who do not have any shoes at all. Want some facts? Okay here they are:

• Fact #1:In some developing nations, children must walk for miles to food, clean water and to seek medical help. 
• Fact #2:Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.
• Fact #3:Often, children cannot attend school barefoot
• Fact #4:In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.
• Fact #5: Podoconiosis is 100% preventable by wearing shoes.

For more information about TOMS shoes or to buy a pair, click here.
To learn more about ONE DAY WITHOUT SHOES and download fliers, stickers or a letter to your boss, click here!

So, if you want to join the movement and raise awareness for the children who have no shoes, go barefoot tomorrow. Wherever you are and whatever you do, go barefoot. If you can't at work, be barefoot everywhere else. Walk around the block barefoot. Hang out with friends barefoot. Do something to raise awareness for these children and for the organization of TOMS shoes. If you want to donate to the cause, go buy a pair or more of TOMS and give a pair or more to a child/children that need them. Let's get together and raise our voice for the children who can't.

Two of my friends and I. One Day Without Shoes 2009

Are you in?
I am!!