Children

I keep hearing about "being like children" in church, and how being child-like is a good thing, but it's never really sunk in until now. I understood it some, but mostly just logically, but not really how it applies.

So, I wanted to share with you the letter I got today from my child I sponsor with Compassion International. He is 8 years old and lives in Uganda and I love him to death! His letters today almost brought me to tears because of how he sees Christ and speaks of Him. It's not just a topic he mentions, it permeates his entire life....like it should with all of us.

Praise God so much. I greet you and your family in the name of Jesus. I am so excited to hear from you once again. I am so happy to know about you and your family. I have seen the photo you sent and you have such a beautiful family. Thank you again for loving me and praying for me. I also promise to be praying for you when I am going to bed. I love school and request that you pray for me to keep doing well at school. Again, I love going to church and I love Jesus so much. I love you and will keep in touch.

This is the second letter that was attached to the one above:

Praise God once again. I appreciate your great love and care for me. Thank you so much for the birthday gift worth 162,501 uganda shillings ($10). When we received it, I was so happy and excited. May God bless you greatly. From the money, I am going to buy a pair of shoes and clothes and I will take a photo putting on the bought clothes and send it to you so that you can see how smart I look. I have nothing to give you in return but only love and prayers that God continues to increase you everyday. God bless you and I love you.

Wow.

I hope to only have a smidge of that mindset. How often does my life and all the "things" I think are so important get in the way of my sweet Savior?

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Luke 18:15-17

Hard Lessons

I am going through Step Studies at church right now and it has been TOUGH but also so good... If you don't know what that is, it's a program simular to Celebrate Recovery , but our church has modified it a bit. It's been very challanging, but very worth it. I'm to the point now were I have to deal with forgiveness and serving others. It's been a hard challange and God has been working in my heart to teach me that it's not about me, I'm just as messed up as everyone else (if not more so), I can't judge others, I cannot hold a grudge against others, etc. I just am learning that it doesn't matter what others to do me, or how terrible I think things are, I am still called to behave in a loving way and serve others regardless.

I'll be honest, this is very hard for me! I have a very strong desire for justice and fairness, and hate to be taken advantage of, used, trampled on, etc. and see someone get away with it. I also like to blame others when they do things to me and therefore justify my reaction. And, even if my reaction might be "right" according to the world, holding a grudge and making things "fair" is not always loving and/or Christ-like.

So, I just thought I'd share some verses I've been reading through and ask for prayers! I am fighting so hard against this and hate to let it go, but I SO need it....I've definitely made some progress, but it's been a daily struggle.

-If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
1 Corinthians 8:2

-"knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.
1 Corinthians 8:1b

-So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12

-"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”
Leviticus 19:16-18

-For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15

-You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:5

-For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5:14

-he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
Luke 10:27

Wet Ears

My poor puppy hates being wet, especially when her ears are wet. This is her trying to dry them off, the way she always does it!

Kitty Attacks!

This is what happens in my house when I'm working...all the time :) Carissa playing (or annoying) with my cat!

John Mayer Concert

Also totally forgot to blog about this one, but about a week and a half ago I got to go to the John Mayer concert...and man, is he amazing live. We had a great time! It was super hot, but so nice to be laying on a blanket and listen to him live. Enjoy!
Gina & Julie
Carissa & Phillip
Julie, Me, Julie and Gina

Brooke Fraser Concert

I have been a lazy blogger lately! Sorry about that...I need to get on it. I have a lot to blog about, so I'll try and get all updated!

A group of us went to the Brooke Fraser concert last Wednesday at the House of Blues and it was excellent! She is so talented and at the same time completely down to earth and funny. If you haven't listened to her, go to iTunes and check her out! Her latest album is called Albertine.

Also, she came with William Fitzsimmons who was absolutely hysterical! He sang mostly somber and depressing songs about topics like divorce, but had such an excellent, dry sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed him as well!

William Fitzsimmons

Gina, Me, Julie and Heather at the concert
Phillip and Carissa
Brooke Fraser!

Holy Ghost

I read this web comic regularly thanks to Chuck, and it's usually absolutely hilarious. Today was no exception! Check it out!!

Crazy!

I have felt the need to blog a lot lately, but my mind has been so full and scattered, nothing has materialized. So, there's a good possiblity this blog might not make a lot of sense :) I've been super busy lately with a lot of different stuff, mostly church stuff. Work has also been kinda crazy with me working all last weekend. It hasn't been that terribly busy, just one fire to put out after another, which is a bit stressful!

Anyhoo, nothing too interesting going on around here. I went to the John Mayer concert on Friday and it was fantastic. I also LOVE live music so much more than recorded. I am going to a Brooke Fraser concert tomorrow night that I can't wait for! I am then heading to San Antonio on Thursday night to throw my great friend April a Lingerie Shower/Bachelorette Party on Friday, so that'll be fun. I haven't been back to San Antonio since I moved to the DFW area in December, so I'm really looking forward to it!

As soon as I can think of something post-worthy, I'll write it, but until then I'm just gonna post some random videos of my pets, because they mak me laugh. I hope someone enjoys them!