What's that you say? People are real?

So there's a little bit of my heart over at The Forsaken Children's blog today. Thankful for the opportunity to share some of the thoughts God's been stirring in me lately and praying anyone who reads will hear Him speaking and not my feeble words.

Here's a snippet from my post:

It was in the airports that I finally realized something : people are real.

I know, hold the phone, right? Yes, people are real. I’d been hearing about TFC and Ethiopia and these street kids for three years now. A couple in our “Sunday School” class is involved with TFC and have been on several trips, so I’d heard their testimonies, seen their pictures, read their blogs, and, most importantly, seen their lives change as a result of their experiences in Ethiopia. God had been spurring me towards missions, both locally and globally, for a while, and He began using this couple to prick my heart for this place. BUT, however passionately they spoke and however heart-tugging their photos were, Ethiopia and its seas of precious children living on the streets was not really real to me.

You know how this is, don’t you? You hear about this beautiful destination from a friend, but, until you see it for yourself, it just seems like a dream. Or everyone tells you how having a child will rock your world, but you don’t really “get it” until the nurse puts that baby in your arms for the first time or you’re up at 2 a.m. with him/her screaming their lungs out. Or you see the commercials for sponsorship of starving, hopeless children in impoverished countries, and they seem like characters in a movie until one of them is glued to your lap and puts his finger on your chest and says, ...

You can click the ellipsis above to continue reading.

All's grace,

rachael

Who am I, Lord?

Disclaimer: The line spacing and hyperlink color issues on this post are driving me batty. Maybe I'm a little OCD? I can't get them fixed though. Fellow bloggers, is WordPress easier to deal with?

Considering it’s been six whole months since my last post, and before that, posts were pretty sparse, it’s safe to say a lot of life has happened that I haven’t been recording here. I hate that because this writing (and photographing) thing is probably my favorite “outlet,” and I have the memory of a goldfish so I need to log my thoughts and smatterings of life to have any hope of recollection. But I’ve just had to resign myself to the fact that during the school year, my days are just too jam-packed to squeeze in writing for myself. (Especially this year when I changed schools and grade levels mid-October! Ahh! But a really good “ahh!” God is so good.) So in lieu of blogging, I’ve been thankful for Instagram—it’s like a quick, mini blog for me. Anyway, that was an extremely long and maybe pointless introduction to the real reason I’m writing today: I’ve just returned (on 6/17) from a mission trip to Ethiopia. And I’m not the same. And that’s what I was praying for.

I’m still trying to process everything I saw and experienced while I was there and praying that God will continue to work out all that He taught and is teaching me into my daily life back here at home in the U.S. So I’m sure this won’t be the only post that revolves around this place on the globe that now has a huge chunk of my heart. Actually I wasn’t even planning to write today, but as I was filling out the trip evaluation form (something our church asks each team member to complete), my answer to one of the questions became a bit longer than what is probably typical for a response on a “form;” hence this post.

This question led me to explain probably the most significant thing God revealed to me while in Ethiopia.

Q: “How has your perspective and understanding of God changed because of your experience?”    

A (expanded a little in this post): I think this experience gave me a more tangible understanding of a truth I have been trying to learn for the past couple of years now (first presented to me in a book I read, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp): “All is grace.” I had a moment during/after our debrief on Monday night (6/10) where I was really wrestling with the fact that these precious kids I had just been with all day, two of whom were going to sleep in a tree that night, didn’t “deserve” this terrible, poverty-stricken, lonely, hopeless life they were living. I remember thinking, “They didn’t ask for this, didn’t do anything wrong—they’re just kids—kids who were born into a mess.” And then it hit me—and hit me hard—just like these kids don’t deserve this “bad” life, I don’t deserve my “good” one—my abundance of family, friends, material comforts, and assurance of Hope. Of course, I have always said that everything I have/am is a blessing from God and that I am thankful. But I didn’t fully understand at the heart level that what I view as my hard work and accomplishments doesn’t make me “deserve” this “good” life I live. I deserve nothing. Who am I, Lord? And just this morning I read Job 38-42 and was reminded vividly that there is none like God and man is powerless in comparison to Him.

God speaking to Job:

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?

Tell me, if you understand.”

Job 38:4

“Have you ever given orders to the morning,

or shown the dawn it’s place,

that it might take the earth by the edges

and shake the wicked out of it?”

Job 38:12-13

{I have to say as a nerdy English teacher who gets a real thrill out of the use of great imagery, I was wishing I could high-five God when I read these two verses. I mean, seriously! The dawn taking the earth by its coattails and shaking the wicked out of it?! Who but God could orchestrate that image?}

“Do you give the horse his strength

or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?”

Job 39:19

“Do you have an arm like God’s,

and can your voice thunder like His?”

Job 40:9

Job’s response to God:

“I know that You can do all things;

no plan of yours can be thwarted.”

Job 42:2

So to answer the question, I think this mission trip experience re-centered and, more importantly, elevated my view of God and humbled my view of self. He is the Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe and yet He gave all up for me and daily pursues me in my mess. When I have the right view of God, worshiping him with my life—being on mission with Him—becomes a joy and the only natural thing to do.

And if I truly believe that God is good—only and wholly good— and that He is sovereign, then I can trust that all—the good and the bad— is a gift. Somehow—even the despairing mess of many of Ethiopia’s children’s lives—all is grace.

I’ve quoted this musing from G.K. Chesterton on my blog before, but I just have to again:

            Here dies another day

      During which I have had eyes, ears, hands

      And the great world ‘round me;

      And with tomorrow begins another.

      Why am I allowed two?

So as jumbled and rambling as it is, there’s my first post on Ethiopia. I wondered what it might be. There have been and are a myriad of things swarming through my mind and heart since I hit the ground there and then returned here. I journaled pages and pages throughout the trip, and there are countless images of faces, especially the sweet little ones, that are seared in my mind. I’m praying for the grace not to forget and to continue putting His love in action here in the U.S. and somehow there, too.

*If you are interested in reading a day-by-day account of our trip, you can visit The Forsaken Children’s blog. I was blessed to have the opportunity to try to capture the time for our team and those supporting us back home.

A few of my favorite snapshots (in a really weird order and only from my phone since I mainly relied on one of our awesome team members who acted as photographer all week!)…

{Loved hanging out with these fun boys at the half-way home and watching the one in blue show us his dance moves!}

All the girls except for 2 on our team!

{The little boy who stole my heart and stuck to me like glue for most of the week.}

{God's majesty on the flight into Frankfurt, Germany on the way home.}

{Again God's great artistry from the plane on the flight to Ethiopia after our brief stop in Sudan}

{Loved getting to know this sweet and hilarious girl from the half-way home!}

{On a street near where we stayed. The domes have chickens for sale in them.}

{View of the city, Addis Ababa, from a restaurant.}

26 Things {12/19/12}

My hubs...He's 26 today.

 

 And here's 26 reasons why I love and am thankful for him...
 

1. He loves sports and wants me to watch games with him.

2. He followed me to Starkville, and he cheers for the Bulldawgs.

3. He has an entrepreneurial spirit.

4. He tells me he loves me at least twice a day.

5. He makes me laugh.

6. He forgives quickly.

7. He takes care of our yard.

8. He takes care of our cars himself (oil changes and anything else they need.)

9. He is wise with finances, but knows we can't take it with us when we go.

10. He helps clean our house.

11. He helps me grade papers.

12. He loves me unconditionally.

13. He sends me funny texts. And sweet ones, too.

14. He reminds me to chill out and that "every little thing is gonna be alright."

15. He never gossips or says anything negative about anyone.

16. He is not easily angered.

17. He plays with Reggie (our puppy child.)

18. He is an awesome uncle to Taylor and Lane.

19. His big brown eyes. (Really, just his handsomeness all around.)

20. He loves music and concerts.

21. He tolerates my love of antiques even though they aren't his style.

22. He works hard.

23. He works out.

24. He is supportive of my dreams.

25. He likes putting Christmas lights on our house.

26. He can figure anything out.

Happy Birthday, baby! I love you. A lot. A lot.

a lesson in farming {sowing & reaping}

When I have my "quiet time" with the Lord, I usually don't just let my Bible plop open and then read whatever random passage my eyes land on. However, for whatever reason, this morning I did, and I don't think it was "random" at all. I read Hosea chapter 10, and verse 12 really grabbed by attention... 

"Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you."

{Hosea 10:12}

(And just for the record, I had to look up the word "fallow." Maybe you are wondering, too? It means "dead," "dormant," "inactive." Ouch! Sadly, my heart can totally relate to that description more often than I'd like.)

Then, I found a couple of index cards that had been tucked into the pages of Galatians with the reference Galatians 6:7-9. And guess what those verses had to say...  

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

{Galatians 5:7-9}

 

Hosea was not so random, huh?

 

(Side-note: I just love seeing how God weaves the same story and principles all through His Word.)

 

These verses from Galatians were given to me weeks ago--with the intention of committing them to memory-- in the Chronological Bible Study I am a part of each Thursday afternoon.

 

So God blew the airhorn loud and clear to me this morning: 

 

Wake-Up-Call #1: Rachael, what is more important than saturating you mind and heart with God's truth? Quit being lazy! Start memorizing scripture!

 

Growing up, I participated in "Bible Drill" through my chuch. Though some may think the logistics of it (standing up in front of people, having a certain amount of time to look up or remember a verse, etc) are a bit ridiculous, I can't even express how thankful I am for those 9 years of participation--to this day, God often recalls to my mind verses and passages  that we memorized. I am getting teary as I type this...realizing how amazing it is that He has given us His very Word...how we have total access to all the power, comfort, truth, encouragement, conviction, guidance, peace, and love we could ever need or want, yet I often wander aimlessly, short-sightedly, defeatedly, sickening-selfishly through my days...all because I haven't trained myself to live with His Word at the forefront of my heart and mind. 

 

Storing up His Word in my heart is the remedy for that meaningless existence. Because whatever is stored up in my heart, can't help but spill out.

 

For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Luke 6:45         

 

I came across this video probably over a year ago; it is a powerful motivation to memorize scripture. Definitely worth the 3:52 of your time. 

 

 

 

Wake-Up-Call #2:Rachael, are you sowing for eternity? Quit being distracted by the temporary! Get far-sighted. Less you, more Him. Less you, more others.

 

The Bible is clear. It is not a confusing concept. What I sow, I will reap. I need Him to empty me of me daily. I need Him to "fix my eyes" daily. Nothing else matters. Nothing else truly satisfies.

 

Thankful for His convicting grace.   

getting ready to welcome our first nephew!

Paul's sister, Kelly, is about ready to pop with their second kiddo! She is due August first, and we can't wait to meet our first nephew, Lane Allen! We love Taylor to pieces, and I know we will be just crazy about Lane, too!

This past Saturday, one of Kelly's best friends and I hosted a baby shower brunch to help her prepare for their first little BOY. It was lots of fun, and she got lots of sweet things. Lane is already very loved! I didn't get many pictures with my camera because Kelly wanted pics on her camera, but below are a few I managed to snag with mine.

{a little cardstock + scrapbook paper + glue = some pretty cute (if I do say so myself) homemade invitations!} 

{I found this little feet stamp at Hobby Lobby and thought it was a sweet embellishment}

{I decoupaged some chipboard letters with scrapbook paper, used a staple gun to attach them to some burlap ribbon, and then added a couple of bows for a little monogram decoration on the mantle.}

{lots of present-love for baby Lane}

{the food table...and see the tray in the bottom left corner? It's blueberry lemon bundt cake..a few people asked for the recipe, so read on if you want to try it out yourself! :)

 {I love sunflowers; they're so cheery!}

{with the glowing Mama!}

{blueberry lemon bundt cake. original recipe here}

Here's how I made it:

Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix PLUS whatever ingredients the cake mix calls for
1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup water
zest and juice of one lemon

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to temperature according to boxed mix for a bundt pan.
2) Liberally grease your bundt pan. 
3) Add blueberries and water to a small saucepan to simmer for 5 mins, then allow to cool.
4) Mix all cake mix ingredients according to directions, folding in the cup of yogurt, lemon juice and zest.

5) Puree blueberries using a hand blender or food processor/stand blender.

6) Pour batter into bundt pan.
7) Pour puree into cake batter and use a butter knife to swirl or ribbon the puree through the batter...do NOT stir.
8) Bake according to the box instructions (may take a little longer because of the additions).
9) Allow to cool before inverting and removing.10) Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh blueberries rolled in white sugar and a lemon slice twist.

*Unfortunately, my cake "fell" not long after I took it out of the oven. Not sure what caused that. The consistency, probably due to it falling and the fact that it has yogurt in it, was more like a pound cake. It was super moist, and I thought had a great flavor. I ate some of the leftover cake for breakfast. :) Let me know how it turns out for you if you try it!

Now hurry up and get here, baby Lane! Ra-Ra (that's what Taylor calls me) is ready to squeeze your sweet little cheeks!

{graduations} Oh, Happy Day!

This May was full of graduations for us!

- My brother graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Science and a minor in Ag. Business. And he already has his first "big boy job"! I am so proud of him! (no pics because he didn't want to "walk"--he's cool like that.)

- After a long two years Paul finished his B.S. in Technology Leadership. He completed it through Fort Hays State University which is in Kansas. (I was totally willing to make the drive, but he didn't want to walk either...I guess he's a cool kid, too.) It was definitely a trying--to say the very least--two years because Paul hates school more than just about everything. But I'm really glad we stuck it out! May 12th (his technical graduation date) was a really big day of relief and thankfulness! 

 

- I finished my Master of Arts in Education through Union University. Though it was challenging, particularly in the second year of the program, working full time and going to school, overall I really enjoyed the program and learned tons! Since my bachelor's was in English and not in education, I knew the content I would be teaching very well, but I really had a lot to learn about the how of learning and teaching. Looking back on this and this it's strange to think I'm now on the other side of that journey; two years seems both so long and so short at the same time. Time is funny like that, isn't it? Of course, I'm a nerd and wanted to walk, so my sweet family humored me and came to watch--enduring a hot and long ceremony! Felt so good to cap off those years of hard work!

{The clock tower at Union waiting on graduation to start.}

{Paul trying not to fry in the super hot sun!}

{May 19th...a really good day!} 

{love him}

{my sweet Mother-in-Law came...
she was so supportive and encouraging the whole time we were in school}

{Mama and siblings, Steven and Caroline...always by my side!}

{getting a hug from my baby sis. love her!}

{sisters}

{my little-big brother}

My dad, littlest sister Mattie, and Grandmama also came to graduation but had to leave as soon as I walked because my Grandmama's back was hurting. Really hate I didn't get a pic with them, but so grateful for their presence that night!

Definitely so glad we have school knocked out. Better now than to wish 5 or 10 years--and a possibly a few kids--from now that we had done it. I canNOT imagine how challenging doing school and having kiddos is--my hat's off to all those people that have done and are doing that!

God was so faithful to see us through the hard days, long nights, and frustrating moments. Though there were definitely times when we tried to do things the hard way--in our own strength--and I'm so glad he never leaves us or forsakes. This time with both of us in school was a continual spiritual lesson in which God was teaching us: He is always right there, ready to be our strength if we just surrender! I hope that is some encouragement for you if you are juggling the work/school thing or whatever else you may be feeling inadequate to face!