Not just a student worker

Once in awhile someone walks into our life and changes it. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does you feel the impact forever. One person can open your eyes to see things more clear. I have had the privilege of this happening to me many times in my life. The first, was my friend Taryn who passed away a couple years ago. She showed me how God can change your life forever if we allow him to. By her faithful walk she showed me what was missing in my life and what I so desperately wanted. The second, was Beth Moore. No bible study can rock my world like hers do. Every time I amazed by her knowledge and her love of God. I want to be on fire for Him for the world to see! I want to live each day making a difference in the lives of others in Jesus' name.

The most recent person to walk in and shake things up was the most unexpected person. A 5 foot nothing, outrageously spunky, with a smile to melt your bad day student worker walked into my life in January. She literally bounces when she walks. She is so fully of energy. And, that's not all. She is full to the brim with God's love. She pours that love out everywhere she goes to everyone she encounters. What started as an employer/employee relationship has grown into a life long friendship. Everyday she came into work she was happy to be there no matter the task. We laughed a lot, we worked hard and we prayed openly with each other. Ariel didn't just help me in the office, she helped me spiritually. She could sense when I was stressed out and would just pray for me right there. She came to me for advice and truly took to heart what I said.

I am always amazed by the people that come in and out of our lives. It sometimes seems like we meet people at the exact moment we need them. Even if we don't know we need them at that time. Looking back over this semester I realized that this was a pretty stressful time in my new job and I believe that God brought Ariel to me knowing she would help me through the busy times and keep me calm when I started to get frazzled. Everyday she left with a smile. Everyday she walked in happy to be there. I am so thankful for the little treasure that God brought into my life. I wish her the best in nursing school. I know that she will do incredible things!

Hey Ariel, I want you to have a great day!!!

Easter Walk

The Children's Minister at church presented an idea to the children's ministry team back in January to do an Easter Walk. So often we teach kids about Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday, but we don't focus a lot on Jesus' last week. The Easter Walk takes them on an eye witness account of what happened that last week. From turning taking the donkey, to turning the money tables...all the way through being taken in the garden and meeting before Pilot and ending with the empty tomb. Each scene is told from a witness in each location. From the moment Amy told us about this I loved it. I loved the whole concept. I prayed over each scene and we worked long and hard about each person who would play the characters. I truly believe God led us to each person who performed and it was incredible. Children saw firsthand what it would have been like. It wasn't a story being read to them, they were taken back in time to each place and got to hear the dramatic week before the Cross. Here is a brief look at what our children experienced.

 The donkey is taken

The Temple

The Upper Room

The garden

Pilot's Scribe

Barabbas

The Empty Tomb

 Talking about the Disciples taking the donkey

 The Temple after Jesus has turned over the money tables



After the last supper is served

Hearing about Jesus being taken from the garden and betrayed by a kiss

 

The Scribe who saw Pilot wash his hands of Jesus' blood

Barabbas talking about being released and Jesus taking his place

The 3 ladies at the empty tomb

"This was my cross. He died in my place!"

The tomb is empty! He has conquered death and RISEN form the grave!

Unfailing Love

It has been too long since I have posted anything! I have had something on my heart for a couple weeks now. I have even made notes all over my "to-do" pad at work with this particular blog idea. As you may know I am on a one year bible plan. I am reading (sometimes) daily a few passages from the Old, New, Psalm and Proverbs. I was reading through Exodus and 9 times in a matter of 5 days I read the phrase "unfailing love" in reference to God. I started writing down each time I aw that phrase and got to be too much. Not only is it in Exodus but it is all over Psalm. In fact I had to look up how many times that phrase occurs...32 times! 32 times you will read about God's unfailing love for us. I think He wants us to know he is serious about that.

I love God's Word so much. No matter the kind of day I am having I can always open up my bible app (yes, I read off my iphone at work..don't judge) and there before me is God's faithful promise to love me always. His unfailing love for me is evident everyday. In my husband, my friends, my family, my work... I see bits of His love in everything I do. My favorite verse that I read is Psalm 32:10, " Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD." I just love that. It made me stop and think about all the "bad" things in my life..I couldn't find anything. I know that things aren't perfect but when I stop to think of my life and what God has provided I am overwhelmed. His unfailing love pours out on me daily! My hope and trust is in the Lord and he HAS provided!