Titus 2:5 Women

So I kind of missed the "What I'm Thankful for on Thanksgiving" post, but who says I can't be thankful on the Saturday after Thanksgiving?

I could list a slew of things I'm thankful for and never even come close to finishing the list. But this time I want to highlight a special bunch of people that I am consistently thankful for.

That would be my Titus 2:5 women.

I have been particularly blessed with several women who pour into me on a consistent basis, women who are in all different phases of life, but take time to minister to me.

These women aren't afraid to show me what life is really like for them. Sometimes that means a messy house, or a tantrum-throwing child, or mismatched clothes. Sometimes it's the fact that finding a diaper changing station is hard, and that it takes some practice and patience to strap a kid into a car seat. And it's definitely that not all public places are stroller-friendly (I'm looking at you, downtown Homewood).

These women show me what it's like to love and respect your husband, even if that means not always agreeing with him. They demonstrate that marriage is teamwork, and you have to work at it to be successful. They show me that their willingness to stay home and tackle taking care of kids and a husband takes the heartbeat of a servant.

These women show me that there is so much more to life than what the world has to offer. They push me to grow in ways that are so far out of my comfort zone. They ask me direct questions about my time in the Word. They push me to obedience. They don't let me get away with things that aren't edifying. They don't settle for answers like "fine," but seek to know what's troubling my heart. Then they do exactly what I need them to do: they encourage me, they tell me the honest truth, and they promise to lift me up in prayer. And they do these things because that's what we all are called to do.

These women make me a part of their families. They open their homes to me. They let me spend time with their kids. They let me know that their door is always open and that I can always call, no matter what. I know their lives are busy, and sometimes it means talking to them in the kitchen while they're fixing dinner or chatting while someone's dirty diaper gets changed. But they let me into their lives, and are willing to be vulnerable so that I can learn from them. And I absolutely wouldn't have it any other way.

I just finished a book by Russell D. Moore called "Adopted For Life." Moore points out that believers in the early church were often ostracized from their families and communities. They walked away from everything they knew into a life that only guaranteed mockery, persecution, and danger. But they were not alone. They were adopted into Christ's family and that made these new believers brothers-- as in true and rightful blood heirs to the kingdom of Christ. While we like to make that sound gender inclusive by saying "sisters," the change takes away what we are promised. These women are my brothers and together we are all inheriting the most treasured gift of all.

Not a day goes by that I don't appreciate these women. They are storing up treasures in Heaven with exactly what the Lord has given them. They each challenge me to be that woman for a younger girl and even ladies my own age. If you haven't figured it out yet, life is hard. Really, really hard. These women are training me to not react or behave in ways that are not glorifying, but rather challenging me to step up and do and think exactly as the Lord has instructed. Sometimes that lesson is Joshua 1:9, other times it's James  1:27, sometimes it's Ecclesiastes 3:1. But every time, it's God-breathed instructions that I need to be reminded of.

And for this, I will give thanksgiving all of my days.

"These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." Titus 2:4-5

Knit Together

"...their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ"

Colossians 2:2

photo by the talented Jenna

Meet some of my bible study girls. They are more of a blessing than I could have ever imagined. Our fearless leader Jenna so graciously opens her home to us and has made us all her baby chicks, which is funny since she does have actual chickens in her backyard. Even though we are just beginning our second semester as a group together, I cannot even fathom what my year would look like without all of these women! Jumping into the Word with them has been so encouraging and challenging and I am so incredibly excited to work through the book of James with them. We never have a dull moment in bible study and their humor refreshes my spirit constantly! Imagining the love we have for each other is just an iota of the Father's love for us just blows my mind!

Chicken, Veggies, Soy, Rice

I was blessed beyond measure to serve as a D-Now leader this past weekend in my home church alongside some of my nearest and dearest friends. It was a wonderful weekend and I was so encouraged to watch my sweet group of eleventh grade girls grow in understanding the movement of Christ!

I have been so challenged recently in giving of my money to glorify God beyond tithing. This weekend provided a wonderful opportunity to see where some of that is going, and I want to encourage you to pray over where God wants you to give! Here are a few of my favorite ministries and ways to contribute...

We participated in Feed My Starving Children on Friday night. What an experience it was! Total, our church and community packed enough food to feed 1,494 children for an entire year!

Read more and donate HERE.

It's okay, you can be jealous of our hairnets.

"Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor." Proverbs 22:9

Maybe you want to support some workers being called to His field. Meet Dana and Laura, two Auburn grads called to serve the Lord in Uganda. In efforts to raise funds for their trip, they are selling some super cute threads HERE. I bought mine this past week and am so excited to sport that bad boy around campus.

Um, how precious are they?

"I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Acts 20:24

Last, but not least, Urban Purpose is a ministry near and dear to my heart. I had the opportunity to work with them last spring break and occasional Sundays when I'm home and don't have to get back to Auburn. Started by two men in our church, this ministry is devoted to building relationships with Birmingham's homeless population and seeking to meet physical needs while actively sharing the Gospel. Read more and donate HERE.

Through these ministries, may God be glorified above all else.

Steadfastness

If I could be one thing I am not, that would be steadfast. This word may be the defining word of the summer. I'm constantly reminded of the Lord's steadfast love, but how often do I show such love and devotion? It is my prayer for the Lord to create in me a steadfast heart, and he has showered my life with examples of such.

Today was a day full of filling my "love tank." First there was breakfast with sweet Emily Grace, whose name fits her all too perfectly. Never have I seen such a godly person with a more tender heart than hers. I appreciate her willingness to stay updated on my life, even when I don't do such a hot job keeping up with hers. Her openness to ask me real, raw, and challenging questions while sharing in my trials and triumphs is always a blessing. Plus, she always picks really good restaurants, so telling her my struggles is much more enjoyable over great food. And she has a blog that is to die for.

Sweet summertime memories of Free Friday Flicks in Homewood Park

Next there was a fro yo date with my long time friend, Ana Marie. Side by side we endured middle school days, so life always looks pretty bright when we get together. Her spirit always teems with joy so infectious I can hardly walk away from her without my sides splitting from laughter. She is such a precious reminder of where I've been and how far I have to go. We keep each other humble and we're practically the same person in so many ways. Even though we hardly see each other as much as we would like, we have an uncanny knack for picking up exactly where we left off. And the stories we tell always seem to get even more hilarious with time.

Tacky Christmas 2 years running.

Growing up is a hard business, but it is entirely more bearable with the steadfastness of people going through the same thing. Grateful for not only these two, but to the solid group I have surrounding me. How blessed am I for the Lord to let me share in these girls' lives!

I'm an ADULT.

Ahh, spring break. I'm home again after completing my chaperone duties on the Shades Birmingham Mission Trip partnered with Greater Shiloh Baptist SB2k11 Lock-In Extravaganza. (I just deemed it that because we didn't have an official name, but it seemed to encompass it well enough.) I still haven't had an adequate amount of time to process all that happened, but here are my reflections. It's kind of lengthy, so get ready...

First of all, the trip was just encouraging, especially since I went into it with my fair amount of apprehensions. This was my first trip as a chaperone (in the loosest definition of the word), I was the only college student, and I pretty much had no idea what all was going on and if I was even in charge of anything.

Friday night I began the trip driving one of my youth minister's car to the other side of town to a place I had never been before. I get nervous driving my own car, but someone else's and to an unfamiliar area...yikes. We arrive, we eat (typical Shades), go over the plan for Saturday, and all spread out to various jobs: bringing in luggage, blowing up air mattresses, and making sandwiches for the next work day. I was in charge of sandwiches and successfully supervised a group of students making 80 meals for the next day. I already knew the best way to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (light coat of peanut butter on each side and jelly in the middle so it doesn't make the bread soggy), but I FINALLY learned what to do with the end pieces. You make the end sides face inward so that you can't tell it's an end piece by just looking at the outside. Sneaky, right? The end pieces are just a mental thing anyway, they taste the same as any other piece of bread. Anyway, we got lunches made and attempted to go to sleep, which was pretty much me telling all of the girls the lights were going out, and then going to sleep in the midst of their squeals. Hey, that was me not too long ago, right?

Saturday was spent split up into groups working at various places. My group went to the Changed Lives Christian Center in West End doing a little bit of landscaping to increase their curb appeal. We didn't really get to work with particular people there, but I know our work was greatly appreciated. That afternoon we went to the Civil Rights Museum...I'm not entirely sure why, but we killed a few hours there. After that we went to feed to homeless with Urban Purpose. I ended up with the glamourous job of walking around with the trash bag taking up people's garbage. I was totally okay with that until people started calling me trash girl, a name that seemed to stick for the rest of the trip. However, it did let me walk around and observe our students building relationships with these men and women who live their lives on the street. What an encouragement to see my friends tossing aside the differences between themselves and these homeless people to truly and deeply love on them! It made me so proud to have discipled some of these sweet students at some point in their ministry!

Sunday we worshipped with the Greater Shiloh congregation. What an experience that was. These men and women were dancing with joy as an offering of worship to our Savior. It was so neat to see a group of people praising the same God in all different ways, and each way was just as precious to the Lord. That afternoon we went to feed the homeless again and I was once again amazed at the maturity our students display. It made me realize how blessed I am to still be involved in such a Christ-centered church that actively obeys Jesus' commands to love and serve people our society has dejected. Sunday evening was spent resting and fellowshipping with one another as well as another great night of worship and debriefing.

Monday we jumped right back into work. I spent all day at the Lovelady Center as my mom lead the room makeover for two women living there. This may have been the most frustrating day of all. We had no idea what we were in for. We painted the walls in the room and bathroom which seemed to take forever despite the small size of the space. I spent most of my time out in the hallway doing my best to create art pieces to hang on their walls to make it a little more homey. I seriously don't know how we finished everything. We had such a hard-working group of students who did really gross tasks to prepare this room as if Jesus himself was going to stay there. It was so encouraging to see the work ethic put forth by everyone to make sure these women knew they were loved.

Tuesday, our last day, my group headed to the Foundry to work in the thrift store warehouse. We were there not only to help out with sorting donations, but mostly to just get to know the people who are in their rehabilitation program. One member of our group had found $1500 sewed into the lining of a dress in the pile she was sorting there previously in the week, so I think they were quite eager to have us back. From what everyone had said, I was expecting to be paired up with an older woman, but I was working alongside a precious 22-year-old and worked across from one of my friends who was paired with an 18-year-old guy. We just spent a little bit of time getting to know them and just goofing off together while still sizing clothes. I don't know how encouraging we were to them, but I left there feeling more uplifted than I ever have before. And it wasn't one of those "I'm just so blessed" sort of feelings. Don't get me wrong, I am, but those two people just spoke truth and encouraged me to not look like this world since that's what got them there in the first place. I will never forget those people, and I pray for the best for them.

Ultimately, I left the trip swelled with so many feelings. Proud of these students. Encouraged by everyone I came in contact with. Blessed by the fact that such an amazing church shepherded me. Eager to pour into others. Sad that I cannot weekly invest time into these ministries due to the distance of school. Reminded that I need to be consistent in covering those ministries with prayer. Humbled by grace. Overjoyed at the Savior I serve. My heart is full. And I know the Lord's purpose is for me to empty it again in His name. Christ, be the center of our lives.

sew in love

I like to consider myself an avid crafter. Maybe not quite up to connoisseur level, but enthusiastic, no doubt. So WHY I waited so long to learn how to sew is way beyond me. My best guess is that I was afraid I would never again address my "real world" commitments (not that I have many, but school is a big one) once I let loose in the sewing world. I think that is a valid fear. I've been looking up tutorial after tutorial on the hundreds (literally, hundreds) of blogs I've bookmarked. Pump the brakes, I'm out of control. My first project may be simple, and definitely not perfect, but it is for a good cause.

One of my sorority sisters shared this website with us. Her cousin started this cute organization "I'm Sewing Hope" just to show the love of Jesus to people who really need to see it. The first project was pillowcases that went to oncology patients at Children's Hospital of Birmingham. The project that I sewed for is this precious crayon roll going to orphanages in Sub-Saharan Africa. For real, I have NEVER sewn until today. Not even a button. But I did this. So can you. Spread the word. This is a great way to tangibly show people that there is hope, one so much greater than anything in this world.

sorry the photos are janky, I used the camera on my phone because my real camera is still packed away in a suitcase somewhere

begin afresh

It was about time we spruced up the vanity with some encouragement!

bloom where you are planted

"I've been praying for like-minded people."

Oh, how this has been the theme of our room thus far. I never knew so much encouragement and pure, unadulterated elation could live within four walls. It's so amazing how much easier it is to just do the gross and gritty stuff of life when you live with your biggest cheerleaders. Their love for me and each other isn't even an iota of our Savior's love for us. How satisfying is it to daily feel the Lord directing our paths and delighting in every detail of our lives? I've learned to rest in the promises of the Lord, even today as I drove home in the pouring rain (Genesis 9:11). This has already been such a year of growth: in who I am as a person, a student, a friend, a sister, and a daughter, despite everything being really crazy. It's that good crazy, you know? The chaos that comes with an overabundance of joy.

"Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." Hosea 6:3

"i'm a major weeper"

"Jesus wept."

John 11:35

Preface: I'm a nerd, in a big way.

I'm in a few literature classes this semester, but today in British Lit I we were discussing a text from the fourteenth century. In the midst of our ridiculous class discussion (my class seriously rocks) the question was raised: was this woman crying merely for attention or as a true display of her penetrating sorrow? One point, which I found particularly convincing, was that her tears were a sign of her vulnerability and since she was weeping in public further drove home how humiliating this must have been for her to openly display such an intimate expression of emotion. Since the text we were reading was a religious work, the allusion to Jesus Christ's overwhelming sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane soon before His crucifixion was made (Mark 14:32-52). How humbling of an experience must it have been to beg before the Father, asking Him to take away the cup of suffering? What a mighty love did it take for God to follow through with His plan, and Jesus to willingly partake? Sometimes I learn more in the classroom than I ever bargain for, and I'm so thankful for that.

He was amazed

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, he returned to Capernaum. At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.” So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.

Luke 7:1-10

I have been so challenged and encouraged by this scripture. It can be difficult to possess faith like this Roman soldier, but it is so incredibly worth it.