Fancy That.

This summer at Kamp, the Lord introduced me to one of my favorite verses of all time. This Fall, Shane & Shane (Contemporary Christian group) wrote a song titled "My Portion," clearly singing the words to my favorite verse. This Spring, I burned a CD for one of my sweet ladies at Hosanna Home. She put the CD in the player and said, "This one is my favorite song of all on here." She flipped through until she got to this very song, "My Portion." I told her it was my favorite as well and explained to her that I had fallen in love with a verse over the summer. I read her the verse which is exactly the words to this song. Later that night, she was rushed to the hospital for a possible heart attack. She is doing fine now but the Lord reminded me how he used this coincidence to encourage her on the very night her heart would weaken her. The verse is found in Psalm 73:26:

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Fancy that.

Distracting the Real Goodness?

Ever tried to eat your favorite dessert right after you put a strong mint flavored piece of gum in your mouth? You love that dessert so much but it doesn't taste quite as good because that mint flavor still roams in your mouth, distracting the real goodness.

The Lord wants us to grow in our spiritual lives, our new lives in Christ. We have tasted and know the Lord is good. Continue to crave that goodness. Desire Him. Desire being holy, being pure. You can't grow in purity and in your walk with Him if you are harvesting any bitter or hard feelings toward others. Lay it at His feet, get that taste out of your mouth.

1 Peter 2:1-3

" Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

snow day @ home.

my ultimate role model...

Growing up, I was quite obsessed with this individual. And, still today I have to say she is so legit! I love Jennie Finch!! She's an Olympic Gold Medalist, an amazing mother to a beautiful little boy, a wife to the Arizona Diamondbacks's Casey Daigle, and a shinning light for the Kingdom. Here's her most recent blog that I wanted to share...

Victory & Heartache! Super Bowl Recap

Watching the Superbowl my heart was elated for the Saints and Drew Brees but on the other hand I was aching for the Colts and Peyton Manning. I know the feeling before that Gold Medal game, or the Nat'l Championship game. You know there is going to be a winner and a loser in just a few hours. You know you will either walk back into your hotel room as a Champion or not. Its the feeling you train for, the place you want to be, you dream about being there your entire life!

It brought me back to my last 2 years of being a Wildcat. In 2001 (my junior year) we did it, finally! We sent 8 seniors out with a Championship, a ring, we achieved it! We were finally the ones jumping up and down on the field lifting the trophy high! This was a magical year, we were on a mission, we had an AMAZING team! I was undefeated this year on the mound... I can remember fighting the devil telling me in my ear, don't let this final game be your only & first loss of the year/season. I fought that the entire time trying to ignore those negative thoughts! I tried focusing on each pitch, each task, and most importantly battling for my team! We did it! We finally won! It was awesome we were playing UCLA, our biggest rival, our biggest competition back then. And we pulled it off 1-0! Finally the Champions!



Then came the next year 2002 (my senior year), we lost 8 seniors from 2001, I knew it was going to be a challenge getting back there let alone winning again! But we did it, we made it back, we were in the Championship game the following year. Just getting to that final game wasn't enough, we wanted to finish it, win it! Coach Candrea always says, "its tough to win a National Championship and even tougher to repeat!" But We were going to do it, we could it, I wanted nothing more than to prove that statement wrong! This time it ended the complete opposite way, we fell short, way short. Ouch, it hurt, hurt really bad. This isn't the way I wanted to end my career as a Wildcat. The score was brutal, my last game as a Wildcat was ugly. I was devastated and heartbroken. I can remember fighting the tears and losing the battle of holding them in.

After sitting in the dug out for what seemed like 2 hours, I finally gathered my stuff and made my way off the field. I was walking off of the Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City as a Wildcat for the last time and we/I fell short. The Lord used this time to speak to me and speak to me clearly. I didn't make it too far, I was immediately stopped at the gate. I couldn't even get out. All I wanted was my hotel room and bed so badly, to sit and sulk by myself. I then looked up and there was this enormous line wrapped around the stadium, no end in sight. The security guards asked me if I wanted to sign autographs. I replied, "Not really, but how can I say no to this line?" He said, "It's up to you?" I knew in my heart I had to sign, it was the right thing to do.

I dropped my bag and stayed there til the last girl received a signature. Through tears, I signed, I was there for hours... I was floored. I kept thinking we lost, I was the loser. Why are these people wanting my autograph? Through so many hugs and generous people encouraging me that day. It was such a gift! A gift from the Lord. He reminded me its not about winning or losing, its about touching lives, touching others! I received more mail from that day than our perfect season,Nat'l Champs, going 32-0, the previous year. So many sweet thoughtful letters about the way I handled the loss, thanking me for staying and signing. I was in awe and still am thinking about it today.

The Lord taught me a big lesson that day! It doesn't make the pain of a loss go away but He reminded me of my purpose. Its not about the trophies or medals, its about touching others, living out God's will! Trying to be a Champion even when we are not the Champ. Through Christ we are all Champions, Jesus died for our sins & our losses, we are able to gain the gift of eternity through His grace! We are fighting for the true prize, the nonperishable prize, the prize of eternity! As my Gold medal tarnishes and gets scratched, I cringe. I cringe and then chuckle... its the Lord reminding me yet again, there is more to it! The trophies & medals will one day fade away.

When I go back to Oklahoma City, it never fails, that line is brought up by someone. The longest line they had ever seen for "the loser!" Thank you Lord for using the losses & heartaches to help mold me and shape me. And Lord, just FYI I prefer winning! ;)

Dreaming & Believing,
#27

MAZEL TOV!!

Congratulations to Jamie and Ben David!!

My first cousin on the Sharker side was married this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. I am so proud of her and had a blast celebrating this wonderful day with her!~ Here's some pictures of my wonderful family!! I am so blessed.

Jamie and Ben

Mom, me, Blakely, Blair and Dad

My Nana and Pop- love love love them!!!

The beautiful, did I say, beautiful bride and her sister, Stacey who flew in from Israel for the wedding!!~ So excited to spend some time with both of these two!

Jamie had everyone wear converses to the wedding... :)

Me and Blakely

Me and Blair

The sisters and Aunt Debra

We love our Nana and Pop!

The 3 Brendles

The weekend was one of the best times I've had with my family. I enjoyed getting to just rest, catch up and snuggle with my sisters in our hotel room. I love every opportunity I get to spend time with my grandparents who I truly believe are God's gift to the world. I love getting to learn and see my Jewish side of the family and the culture that they are apart of. Even in the midst of confusion, it's a blessing to see their hearts for God and the way they worship Him. I am so thankful to the Lord for such a wonderful family.

My friend, Katie Bartlett

This Blog was so good.. I just had to "Re-Blog" it.

Say So.

Psalm 107

¹Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
²Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary...

From time to time, my roommates and I have told one another to "just say so!" Implying thefreedom to "be right where you are at" (no judgment here!) and the empowerment that comes from approaching life from the victorious position of being redeemed. (1 John 5:4-5) We have been bought back, brought out of death into life, and set free to live life as He intended: in fellowship with our God. When we hide in our own selves, there is no fellowship. For us to speak what is true about ourselves and God is to speak from the position of being the redeemed children of God. We stand acceptable and accepted because of Christ! Who told you to be ashamed or that you had to have it all together?! It is the "adversary" or the enemy who tempts us to believe this and he has been defeated--powerless towards the people of the Lord. We must remember the Voice that matters most. When we forget we are redeemed and forget to "attend to the steadfast love of the Lord" we feel vulnerable, exposed (experiencing the reality of our not being in control), and afraid to say anything at all. When life isn't seeming line up quite right or the circumstances are unsure, or at the slightest relational discomfort or lack thereof we are quick to forget what He has done on our behalf and who He has made us to be and how He pours out His love into our hearts by the power of His Spirit alone. This is what makes the DIFFERENCE! In these days of our sanctification/transformation into the likeness of Christ we have the choice to LIVE in that reality or to try to live this life in our own feeble resources until the day He returns and completes this beautiful work He has began in us at the moment of salvation. May the reality of our redemption and new life in Christ fall afresh on us:

1 Peter 2

²⁴He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,

that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

By his wounds you have been healed.

²⁵For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned

to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

FREEDOM to "say so" comes from believing and receiving for yourself that you are redeemed, first and foremost. There is no way to earn or lose the love and acceptance which God freely gives us in Christ. This experience also happens in loving community. As we work out the reality of our salvation "with fear and trembling" He moves from our head to our heart what that really means. Healing comes as we move through this process by faith, acknowledging our fears and feelings, allowing the grace of God to penetrate our faulty beliefs, often through the gracious response of others towards us. Powerful. Supernatural. True freedom comes in taking off the mask of having to have it all together or be independent of God(dying to sin) and being who He has created you to be: a dependent child on Abba, Father (living to righteousness).

I was meeting with a friend this past week and it seems she has discovered what many of us know, but few of us admit. We wear a "protector" around our lives, keeping people and even God at arm's length. She knows she needs to take it off, but it's not easy. Our souls crave to be known, our Spirits cry out to drink deep from the Living Water, yet we choose to stay in what we've been deceived into believing is "safe." The TRUTH? Our God longs to BE our protector! Our Safety! Our refuge! Our HOME, but we must die to the old way of "safe" living, which is not really living at all. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to this earth with the gospel message: "I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly." When we operate out of the riches and wealth of Spirit that comes from standing on these realities our life IS different! He satisfies us (Psalm 63) in this dry and weary land of the world. The Spiritual reality becomes our reality and we live in the paradigm of the life of Christ! When we stop searching for a formula and live IN CHRIST we find what we were looking for in the beginning...

Psalm 107

⁴³ Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

Colossians 2

...to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding

and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,

³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Our direction, our step-by-step, our wisdom and knowledge, if you will comes as we seek Christ and allow His Spirit to be the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls and respond in faith to Him. When we walk as redeemed children in freedom, healing and wholeness, we WILL shine Christ brightly for the glory of His name. I pray that more and more we are a community that "says so" for the sake of His glory and that more may step into a life in Christ.

awesome testimony

I feel like I should know her but I don't. However, I was extremely encouraged by this story-

Success Stories :: Mandi

AMANDA WIGGINS

Hi, my name is Mandi and I am 24 years old. My family and I moved to California from Alaska at the beginning of my grade school when my grandfather was dying. After his death we found comfort in a local church but I never completely surrendered my life to Jesus or had a personal relationship with Him. At a young age I started dancing and playing soccer. By junior high I was playing soccer at a very competitive level.

I have two older sisters and when I got into junior high I began to go out with them on the weekends and that is when I began to drink. By high school I was well known in my community for soccer but I had a routine party schedule on the weekends. When I was sixteen I got a DUI in a stolen vehicle. This shocked my community, my coach, and it shamed my family. I was let off with just a little probation because the judge didn't want to hinder my future with my soccer and schooling.

My senior year my coach opened up an opportunity for me to play against high-ranked teams and universities. This was a time to be scouted and to experience soccer at a higher level. But inside I had a huge fear of failure so when I was introduced to meth by a friend of mine, I found my escape in it. I started using quite a bit and people saw a change in me on and off the field. I ended up barely walking with my class because of so many days missed, and my personal coach and scouts were fed-up with no-shows and unreturned phone calls.

After graduation I crashed my friends car while drinking and driving and ended up In a 30 day rehab. Here is where I realized I had ruined everything I had been working my whole life towards. When I got out of rehab I quickly got back into my addiction. I worked and tried to go to junior college but I couldn't do either without being high. My addiction had spiraled out of control and because of being untrustworthy I wasn't allowed in my family's home or allowed to see my niece who I love dearly, and I lost my job of two years. Without many options open to me I moved in with a guy friend not realizing the severity of his drug addiction. It was here that I saw things I wouldn't imagine in my worst nightmare and I met the kind of people I didn't know existed. I remember being up in my room crying. It wasn't like a normal night of crying feeling sorry for myself. Something within me was crying out. For the first time in my life I felt the presence of God. In my complete broken state God spoke to my heart and I knew that He loved me and somehow my life was going to change.

Right after that I ended up in jail for 45 days. In jail I reunited with my family and I dedicated my life to Christ. My parents heard about Teen Challenge and by the grace of God I was granted my release to go to the program.

People always ask me what it was like in Teen Challenge. I tell them it was a year of getting to sit at the feet of Jesus. In the presence of Jesus there is healing, hope, restoration, and one can begin to dream again. At the end of my program God began to speak to me about missions. I heard about Y-WAM (youth-with-a-mission) and knew that I knew this was where God wanted me. It seemed impossible because I was on felony probation and had pretty much no money. However, God opened up door after door and did miracle after miracle. Shortly after I was done with my program I found myself on an airplane to Kona, HI where I would train for three months before going overseas. I ended up going with an amazing team to Australia and American Samoa.

I came home after my time overseas was up and began to seek God for what he had for me next. I currently am an intern at my church at Calvary Christian Center. I work under our Youth Pastor with student ministries and oversee evangelism. I was privileged to help lead a group of our students to Ecuador this past summer in South America. I am also currently getting certified as a chemical dependency counselor.

For me it is extremely humbling to look back at what God has done in my life from that time he spoke to my heart when I was completely broken in my room crying, up until now. I have been so blessed to see different parts of our world and God's unchanging heart for the nations. No matter where I am I am a missionary, because people are everywhere that need to know the love of Christ. I love Jesus and can't do justice with words for all he has done for me. God Bless and dream big!!!

Still Learning Day by Day...

It's been a long time since I've blogged mainly because I am so incredibly busy. However, I want to take a minute and really, record a revelation the Lord has blessed me with today. To give you a bit of a background, I have really struggled this semester with trying to understand how we have a Holy Spirit in us yet sometimes choose a life of sin. Many of you know about the situation from Kamp and then even an experience from a friend in my life that just lead to a wrestle for me with the issue of salvation and if the Spirit really resides in people who live such a completely different lifestyle than what the Lord instructs us to. I am not questioning any particular person's salvation but to be in a Social Work career, I feel it very necessary to discern what exactly a life with the Spirit looks like. I have been hurt by lies, manipulation, and disadvantages over me mainly because I believe the truth people speak about themselves but even more so, the Lord. Why wouldn't we want to believe what is said to be true? So, I wrestle with this not because I think one sin is bigger or worse than another, not because I want to know who is really saved or not, not because I want to look better or think of myself better, but because I feel it is essential for my career and lifestyle as a believer.

Today I read the story of Ananias and Sapphira that can be found in Acts 5. After the Lord ascended into Heaven, the Holy Spirit came down and filled not only the place, but the people who resided in the room (Acts 4:31). The believers began to share everything they had with one another. However, Ananias and his wife gave only a portion of the money they received from a piece of property they sold. "Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." At these words, Ananias fell dead. Then his wife was questioned and caught in a lie. Peter said to her, 'How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?"

This is what I took from this: Believers (those who have confessed and believed in Christ and been filled with the Holy Spirit) can lie to the Spirit, essentially to God, and live a life of hidden (from men) sin. But, I see the results here to be serious. Also, in 2 Peter 2:20-21: "If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them."

It is true that we are sealed with Him (the Holy Spirit in us) till the day of repentance. Yet, we are not to grieve the Spirit. The Spirit is grieved when there is a breach in relationship to either God or people. Sin pains the Holy Spirit. (see Eph. 4:25-32)

This may have made no sense to you but it reveals a new perspective for me to look at when it comes to sin and the Holy Spirit. Above it all, it brings me to seriously ask myself this question:

How important is it then to care more about the Spirit's grief than my own? I am praying for that to really sink in for me. I know that many people have different opinions on this subject but I just wanted to journal out my thoughts. I want to be sensitive to the fact that I cannot and will never be able to completely understand the Holy Spirit or the lives of others.

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!