Disappointments.

An anonymous poem:

"Disappointments- His Appointment,

Change one letter, then I see

That the thwarting of my purpose

Is God's better choice for me.

His appointment must be blessing,

Tho' it may come in disguise,

For the end from the beginning

Open to His wisdom lies.

Disappointments- His Appointment,

No good will He withhold,

From denials oft we gather

Treasures of His love untold.

Well He knows each broken purpose

Leads to fuller, deeper trust,

And the end of all His dealings

Proves our God is wise and just.

Disappointments- His appointment,

Lord, I take it, then, as such,

Like clay in the hands of a potter,

Yielding wholly to Thy touch.

My life's plan is Thy molding;

Not one single choice be mine;

Let me answer, unrepining-

Father, not my will, but Thine."

I could use YOUR help!!

There is one way you can get involved in this Holiday Season at Hosanna Home. A few of the girls, me, and some staff members are taking a mission trip to Mexico Dec. 15-22. The ministry that runs Hosanna Home, Harvest Evangelism also has a partnership with a church in Mexico. We will be painting, building, and constructing homes and porches. We will also be hanging out and ministering to children on the streets and people in need. The girls and I from Hosanna Home have to raise a certain amount to build a porch for a family. They are already underway praying and asking for support. So, to do my part, I thought I would ask my community, YOU. If you feel led to support this trip, you can mail me or I can come meet you, any financial contribution you would like to do. All checks can be made to Harvest Evangelism. Also, if you have ANY SHOES that you could do without, I am taking a huge stash of them!! Children and adults need shoes there more than anything else. If you would like to contribute, please call and let me know 334-300-5641. If you are mailing anything... 650 Dekalb St. Unit 1311
Auburn, Alabama 36830

I can't wait to let you know how doing ministry alongside some amazing women who have recently come to know the Lord looks like. Women who I thought I was ministering to, will now be working alongside me to further the Kingdom of God in Mexico. WOW! What a blessing that there is none greater or less important in Christ. I love it!

Thanks and love you all!!
Brandy

Get your Hopes UP.

Today, the advent candle of HOPE was lit. Considering the past month of some very difficult situations, questioning, and tests- I have really gotten down and lost. I have spoken to some of you but for the others, let's just say that working in a drug and alcohol rehab, there is not always full success stories. In the process, I start to lose my hope in this whole thing. I feel like it is pointless what I am doing. Is there really a success story? Is it even possible to live a life completely free of these addictions and shame? I have seen REAL chains. I have seen women who love the Lord still fail and fall into these horrible, devastating pits of life. I started questioning the Lord and admitting that I was losing faith in Him. I was losing HOPE. Then, today I learned...

I. As humans, we place our hope in a lot of wrong places.

A. Personal achievements, human ingredients, what we can control or try to control, our successes, our Impact on others- WORKS.

- "Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though he slay me, yet will I Hope in him" Job 13:14-15

B. Depression, worry, anxiety, uncertainty, anxiousness, time, waiting- FEELINGS.

- "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5

- "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12

C. Money, Wealth, Jobs, Security-NON-ETERNAL MATTERS

- "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their

hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with

everything for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17

- "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." 1 Cor.

15:19

- "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what

he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:24

D. Family, Friends, Ministry, Neighbors, Colleagues, Teammates- PEOPLE

- "Find rest, O my soul, in God ALONE; my hope comes from him. He ALONE is my

rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:5-6

II. Placing our Trust in the RIGHT HOPE

A. HIS WORD-

- "May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your

word." Psalm 119:74

B. HIS WORD is JESUS CHRIST-"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word

was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." John 1:1

HOPE in Jesus Christ.

- "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-

controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the

blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus

Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify

for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus

2:11-14

- "Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear

to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that,

by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled

to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as

an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest

forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Hebrews 6:17-20

- "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1

- "Father God, you have brought all things together in Christ-things both in heaven and

on earth. Therefore, we who have put our hope in Jesus our Messiah, praise His glorious

name." Ephesians 1:10,12

- "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches

of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27

- "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our

hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:5

- "the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

" Psalm 147:11

III. Result in our lives

A. Love and Redemption

- "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. O' Israel, put your hope

in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130:5,7

B. Endurance and Strength

- "...But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like

eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

- "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through

endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

C. Purity in Heart and Mind

- "But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a

breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." 1 Thess. 5:8

- "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known

But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who

has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." 1 John 3:2-3

hope in this world will disappoint every time. take HIS hope

and abandon ALL others.

Party Time.

Hosanna had their staff Christmas Party this week. We did a skit of the 12 Days of Christmas.. me playing the guitar and them singing.. It was really fun. Here's some pics. I am going to update more later. Until then, Here's some Christmas smiles...

Opportunity.

"These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." -Revelation 3:7-8

Pizza Partaay

There's no better place to learn how to cook a pizza than @Hosanna with the best chefs around...

My heart shaped finale.

It's just so exciting!!!!

Me and Wendy in the kitchen

Katie Bug teaching me how to cook...

Abbey and Wendy

My Theory

Today in class we reviewed mental disabilities and cognitive learning disabilities. After going over all the theories and definitions, I came up with my own:

I believe that God placed a unique characteristic of Himself in people with mental disabilities. This characteristic, in my opinion, is found only in these precious, wonderful people. I feel like that is one of the purposes of their lives; to display this amazing loving, compassionate, and caring personality that is unique to humankind. Praise the Lord for these individuals who TRULY make the world a better place. I am forever thankful for them.

Inspired By...

I have finally finished some lyrics I have been working on.... The first is a chorus that I have been playing the past few days on the guitar- It's really a collaboration of what I try to share with my Hosanna Ladies everyday I am there--

"But I know a man who loves with liberty

No weakness or defeat, His strength is mighty.

And in this man, I'm a captive who's set free

No sin, No shame, No guilt will be found on me.

So I choose this man, in Him there's victory

I find healing and life in His grace and mercy.

Forever to this man, All praise and honor be

I'm a new creation and to Him be the Glory."

The second is just some verses I wrote that were inspired by the stories of the Women at Hosanna and the way their lives have resulted in addictions and shame. When you read them, think of cards...

"You've been dealt quite a difficult hand

The Kings abused with the lies they used, left you on shaky land.

The Queens manipulated, they got you in your back

Labelled you a failure with everything you lack.

Always expecting something as they blinded you with love

Those jacks would silence you my dear, with every push and shove.

You became the joker, crumbling inside

Reaching out, you'd try anything just trying to hide.

On the Outside you've done pretty well fitting in with the rest of the deck

But flip your card on over, you see your life is a wreck.

You tried wearing the suit of clubs hoping for the best of luck

But every step forward was two steps back, left you hopeless and stuck.

You battle insecurity, trying to be the prettiest of the girls

In this suit of diamonds, you're worth's in jewels and pearls.

The destruction continues as you attempt to try the spades

Running out of options, all hope begins to fade. "

This past Friday night, I spent 2 hours playing the guitar for the women. One of the interns started crying when we went into the office afterwards. She told me that it is such a blessing for me to come in there and bring in encouragement and allow them to just enjoy a few hours of worship. This intern has become an amazing mentor for me so you can imagine how much this comment meant to me. Here's the real deal- When I, a 21 year old college student spend a Friday night until 11 PM at a drug and rehab center, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with me. At Hosanna, we don't really watch TV, no internet, no phones- just people. We sit around in community and laugh, tell stories, and encourage one another on this journey we call life. This simplicity and time together is what makes my heart beat. Almost every conversation includes Jesus and brings glory to His name. He is why I am there. Every second, every conversation, every laugh, every tear... EVERY MOMENT I pray that HIS NAME is GLORIFIED. I pray that these women see Jesus Christ and the story of redemption HE has brought about in my own life. I never would have dreamed in high school that I would be playing a guitar leading worship in a drug and rehab center on a Friday night. PRAISE GOD that He had bigger dreams than I could ever imagine. Because His spirit now lives IN me, I get to be a part of His story and bring glory to HIS name. All Glory to the King who is changing lives, healing hearts, and redeeming souls.

Share and Tell

An anonymous poem:

"Disappointments- His Appointment,

Change one letter, then I see

That the thwarting of my purpose

Is God's better choice for me.

His appointment must be blessing,

Tho' it may come in disguise,

For the end from the beginning

Open to His wisdom lies.

Disappointments- His Appointment,

No good will He withhold,

From denials oft we gather

Treasures of His love untold.

Well He knows each broken purpose

Leads to fuller, deeper trust,

And the end of all His dealings

Proves our God is wise and just.

Disappointments- His appointment,

Lord, I take it, then, as such,

Like clay in the hands of a potter,

Yielding wholly to Thy touch.

My life's plan is Thy molding;

Not one single choice be mine;

Let me answer, unrepining-

Father, not my will, but Thine."

Wise Instructions from a Hosanna Resident:

"Even when you feel as if you just wanna give up, hold your head up high and keep going. He will continue to make a way for you. Our God is a faithful God who will always do what He says. We have to remember we are His vessels and we are to let His light shine in us. When someone looks in our eyes they should see Christ and it is up to us to continue to let these lights shine forever."

Catch UP and Birthday

So I haven't blogged in a while but I wanted to update you on life lately. The past two weeks have gone fast and been hard. The weekend of my birthday consists of this:

* Thursday, Oct. 22- my best friend Cullen, my 3 roommates, and a few friends went to dinner for my birthday 

*Friday, Oct. 23- dinner in Montgomery with Mom, grandparents, and Aunt Cin. Then hung out with friends who came into town from Atlanta

*Saturday, Oct. 24- woke up BRIGT and Early and departed Auburn at 8 AM. Some of my favorite people in the world joined me for a terrific day in a small town outside of Auburn called Lochapoka. Once a year, the town holds a festival where they crush sugar crane and make syrup. It's called syrup sopping. There's booths to shop around and lots of music. It's one of my favorite parts of the Fall. 

Christi, Hannah and I 

John, me and Phillip

My friends here at Syrup Sopping. 

* After sopping, we went to the pumpkin patch! It is by far the greatest thing about Fall- I LOVE PUMPKINS!! 

* After the pumpkin patch, I had my birthday party at Hosanna with my friends. My mom brought the big twister, a space walk, and the bungee run plus some goodies!! It was also my friend, Wendy's birthday so she celebrated too!! It was a blast and my supervisor let all the women call and see if their kids could come! I couldn't have asked for a better party! :)

It brought literal tears to my eyes when I saw 4 yr. old Jordan run and hug her favorite person in the world, her mommy. This woman right here is so wonderful and loves her little angel. Jordan had pink in her hair because she had been to a church carnival earlier in the day with her grandparents. Jerri and Jordan's day together was the best present I could have ever asked for. 

Katy Bug in the Bungee run! 

Tammy and Maddox in a cow milking competition. 

A bunch of us playing Twister!! 

Me and Nikki on Twister game. 

Me and Katy Bug 

Sweet little Gracie Faith is having a blast hanging out in her stroller! Isn't she precious?! 

Sweet Cindy Lou with Wendy on the Bungee Run! 

My friends Hannah, Christi, and Shari came to the party, too!! 

Jordan had a blast in the Space Walk!! 

Cindy Lou wasn't as happy on the Twister!! She's precious!! I just love her.

Some of my blessings, Jerri, Jenny, and Katy Bug. Redemption right in front of my face.
As tradition at Hosanna goes, everyone who celebrates a birthday gets an egged cracked on their head. So, this is the first of my eggs...

Here's number 3, I think.  

And, Katy was one of the ones who got me. UGH! haha It's actually hilarious!! 

Me and Gracie Faith in the parlor about to have cake and snacks!! 

The girls decorated the parlor with a Birthday sign for me and Wendy!!

Jenny

* Sunday, Oct. 25      MY 21st BIRTHDAY!

To start off the day, I was served breakfast in bed by two of the sweet ladies. We got up and went to church at First Baptist. Then, after we ate lunch me and a few friends carved pumpkins!!  

Katy, Cindy Lou, and I carving pumpkins out in the front yard on such a beautiful day! 

Me and Cindy Maddox hanging around enjoying the sunshine!! 

I can't think of many people that express so much joy than these two!

*Monday, Oct. 26th- My roommates and I carved pumpkins with some friends on our front porch!! It was a BLAST! 

 

Birthday

So, tomorrow is my twenty-first birthday. As I sit here going over my plans, thinking about past bdays, and thoughts on another celebration of life, I came to one conclusion. The best birthday present I have ever received was from my Father over thousands of years ago. The gift was like 3 presents in one box. My Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ down to Earth. In His marvelous plan, God chose to have Jesus crucified. God gave me three things during this time and I'll never forget it as long as I live. He gave me forgiveness of all my sins, grace through faith to stand before Him sanctified and redeemed into a relationship with Him, and an opportunity to share in His story, His plan, His glory! Wow!! I bet you can't beat that!! The best part about this birthday present is that He gives it to anyone who will receive His son. So, as one more birthday is celebrated, I just wanted to explain to you what I am really blessed and thankful for on this very day. 

No Not One

I think one thing that the Lord continues to remind me is there is none righteous. "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one (Rom. 3:10)." But- "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:22-24)."

When a drug addict goes back to drugs, when an alcoholic takes just one sip, when an international student proclaims atheism, when a role model commits adultery, when a leader gets caught in abuse, when a parent abuses a child, when a teenager smokes a cigarette, when a dad leaves his family, when a woman sells her body, when a word slips too fast...

None of us can stop sinning. God can never start. 

Our sins magnify His forgiveness. 

He doesn't need our sins to be Holy.

He IS holy.

Yet He chose to crucify His son so that these sins would be forgiven.

He chose to raise Jesus so we can stand righteous.

Even though "all have fallen short of God's glory (3:23)," I serve a God who doesn't need humans to get glory. Praise the Lord! 

After a week of disappointments. a week of manipulation. a week of distraction. a week of questions. a week of education on homosexuality, rape, elder abuse, child abuse.... I formed a new statement on how I look at social work and just life in general:

"The more I learn about people and their issues, the more I learn about the issue to love people."

passion and grace

If you haven't gotten it by now, let me say it once more, I LOVE Hosanna. Sunday I was blessed to take four of my friends to the Passion City Church in Atlanta. This is the church I attend twice a month; Louie Giglio speaks and there's many mainstream artists who lead worship (Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill...) It was huge that my supervisor allowed me to even do this!! Ashley, Katie, Jenny, Abbey, and I jammed out to music all the way to Atlanta. When we got there, Chris Tomlin opened up with the song, "Your Grace is Enough." This is the song the Hosanna girls have been singing as they travel to different churches to raise support. Of course, knowing the first song was an awesome start to an amazing night. Louie spoke on grace again which is such an awesome subject. It was so humbling to sit and hear these words as I not only thought about the stories of the women I was with but also the testimony of my own life. 

 There are two impossibilities that are necessary to consider. 1. It is impossible for us to make our way back to a holy, perfect, and righteous God. 2. Living out who we are is impossible without God.  - So... We can't live without Him but we can't make our way back to Him.  =GRACE-God at work doing something we can't do. 

The cross- Sins weren't just forgiven. Sins weren't just taken away. Sins weren't just defeated. That's only half the story missing the main point. Jesus gave us HIS righteousness. (Romans 3:22) When you believe it, you receive it. Look at Isaiah 53. It was intentional that God took every single sin of every single life and crushed His son with it. - God didn't just raise Jesus up in righteousness, but God took our sin (because we can't even do that) and placed it on His son. AND, he put the righteousness of Jesus on US. That's how we live out who we are. That's why there is no more shame, guilt, or condemnation (Romans 8:1).  Drop the weight and receive the cross. 

This sermon impacted my friends and me. One of my friends stood up to profess that for the first time in her life, she understood why she doesn't have to have shame anymore. She no longer carries this huge massive weight on her back . She is free of condemnation, guilt, and shame. Jesus Christ carried that weight for her a long time ago. Now, she's experiencing real freedom. Another friend gave 5$ to the offering. This is HUGE because they are not allowed money on them unless they take it out and sign for it. My supervisor allowed them to each take out 10$ for supper. Well, for someone to give 5 of their 10 dollars... serving. 

They met Chris Tomlin, received free cds, and were treated well by my church. On the way home I heard a comment muffled that really made me feel good inside. After I made them go through a car wash with me (silly mood I was in..) one said... "Wow, I've actually had so much fun tonight and I'm not high or drunk." This came from a mouth I would never have thought I would hear such a comment. 

Lives were impacted. Jesus- He is still doing it. 

More cardboard Testimonies...

Not sure how much you can read on these but here are some more pictures of the Cardboard Testimonies my friends did at their Banquet. On one side, they identified themselves before they knew Jesus. On the opposite side, they shared what they know is true in Christ.

This is Amy. The front of her cardboard read, "Dope Dealer." She was arrested for possession of marijuana and was using meth. She is an awesome woman and is interning at Hosanna for the last few months of her program. When you go around her, you just know that she's real and she really loves the Lord and wants to serve Him in all she does. 

The "High on Jesus" is Ashley. She is one of my very special friends. She is 25 and was arrested for pot. She is one of the sweetest, kind-hearted people I have ever met. She loves her some Auburn football and just is a joy to be around. After this banquet, this shy and humble servant of the Lord wept uncontrollably. I have never seen her show emotion like that before and it was neat to see the Holy Spirit living and breathing through her.     

The "washed by the blod" is Nikki. Nikki is 22 and has a son at Hosanna, Zander. Her charges are all various drug charges but there's a potential she will be tried in court for being under the age of 21 at the time she got arrested. She is so young but does a great job of raising her son and is so fun and carefree. 

The "bible smoker" is actually from Montgomery, too. Her name is Tasha. Tasha was doing pot and crack I think. She is such a fun person around Hosanna. She keeps it straight and always makes me laugh with her quiet, under the breath jokes. One of my favorite things about her is she wears the button bracelet we made one day and it's just a cool thing for me to see. Tasha is almost done with the program. I think she finishes in December or early Spring. 

This is a picture of me and probably one of my closest friends at Hosanna, Jenny. This woman is one of the most incredible friends I have ever had. Jenny is someone who has taught me alot about addictions, challenges, faith, and serving. I have felt an immediate bond with her since the first day I was there. It's so crazy how much in return she has blessed me and just been so open and trustworthy with me. After some amazing advice and conversations with Jenny and a few other women, the Lord has put it on my heart to celebrate my 21st birthday here at Hosanna with these friends. It's a scary and difficult day for me and there's no other place I would rather be than at Hosanna with women who understand and desire the same things in life and are fighting together to pursue the Lord and trust them with their lives. I have so many more friends and stories to share but this is all for now. Please be praying for these ladies, and for me. The Lord is really evident in their lives and I just want to make sure they know how loved they are by Him. It is such a blessing to hear and see these women on a weekly basis.