jonah.

"we're young men of joppa of joppa of joppa. we're young men of joppa who sailed the high seas" a children's musical was one of the many ways that I heard the story of Jonah and the big fish growing up. pretty sure I could tell you the story in my sleep. but have i taken this for granted? I guess some where in my ideal picture perfect world I thought everyone heard those stories. I mean how do you get past 5 and not hear that story and noah?! and esther? too. tonight i was kind of snapped to reality.
I'm at work. 5-9 shift. the most boring one ever. caught up on school stuff. starving. luckily the Lord likes to make life always interesting and full. so we're chatting. me and the guy a work with. just about life. (we've had some good full talks lately its been cool to watch God open those doors.) then I started relating an issue in my life to the story of jonah. i said 'you know the story of jonah and the big fish?' nothin. not a nod, not a maybe. i hope my jaw didn't drop to the floor. I proceeded to tell him the story. listening to myself, i thought, 'wow, it does take faith to believe this stuff.' then we talked about old and new testament. theology. the gospel. childhood. church. truth. it was beautiful. The Spirit has been urging me to take this opportunity on this shift. and today. it happened. then we got into the church talk, I was both encouraged and challenged. he said yea, me and my roommate always say we're going to go to church on sunday. my thought=really? non-church goers think that? we are we at? how easy is it to speak truth and invite people in to enjoy reality.

enjoy the irony here. quit being like jonah and running from what God has called you to do or to say. that everyone may hear truth.

by His mercy.

life has been crazy fast since spring break. sometimes i like that and sometimes i just need a little slow down and 'whoa buddy' This past week i got a little more details on my trip with Orphan outreach to Guatemala and I got new luggage tags :) so when i read the trip details i got a little emotional. here's why.... so in the past year or so the Lord has been stirring this passion in my heart for teenage girls, young women and just for His daughters in general. I wasn't and am still not certain what all He plans to do with that passion, but I know its big. and I know its not another ministry for the spiritual "healthy" In being awakened to that passion, I've questioned my current location and current path of study, I've tried to be open, even if He called me to quit school or something crazy. but I haven't felt that leading. when I got the details of the trip, He affirmed every little bit of work that He's been at in my life. Our trip will include visits to 3 different orphanages. we will be working on different life skills, such as cooking and self care. we will also be working with a transitional home where a lovely woman has 8 teenage girls. are you pickin up on His perfection in all this?! 1) i love any and all kids 2) i love working with teenage girls 3) my major has a huge emphasis on leading groups and teaching individuals to be independent in self care and living skills!!! can i get an amen?! and the cherry on top: there's a special needs group in one of the orphanges, which my education has prepared me even more for. ahh beautiful, just beautiful. and the one thing that must be said...its only by His mercy. "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's merccy. For the scripture says to pharaoh, "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. " Romans 9:16-17