I love Easter week! When I was growing up, my family would usually attend a Good Friday service in which a message was given, songs were sung...the usual. Except, we all walked out silently - silent as the grave, which was the point. My heart ached for the sorrow that came with Jesus' death. But I knew - Sunday had to come. And to quote one of my dad's favorite hymns, "Up from the grave he arose! With a mighty triumph o'er his foes! He arose the victor from the dark domain and he'll live forever with his saints to reign! He arose!" Man - it just made me want to burst with joy!
Easter Sunday became even more special to me a few years ago. After my first summer in Milwaukee, I had grown in my understanding of the Spirit-filled life - a life directed and empowered by Jesus. My life was not my own - He had died and rose again and had taken up residence in my heart. That next Easter, I could not raise my arms high enough or my voice loud enough to proclaim my gratitude. I realized how very much I deserved to be in the grave, but how great his love for me had been.
And this week, I'm realizing how shallow my view of what he has done for me really is... my thoughts usually dwell on myself and my needs or wants. Perhaps once in a while I will think of others. But Jesus is the ultimate example of selflessness. I do not understand a love that deep, but I'm praying God would deepen my knowledge.
Tonight, I was reading Romans 8 and came across verse 18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us." I am thankful for my resurrected Savior because my hope in him can never fail and his glory will never fade.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Chardinay's Story
My friend Kara has been mentoring two sisters, Alexius and Chardinay, now 11 and 13. Watch the video to hear what God has done in Chardinay's life.
As Chardinay is now entering her teen years, there is a lot of pressure from her peers and lot of changes that she is experiencing - please pray that she would turn to Jesus to be a light to her peers instead of being negatively influenced by them!
As Chardinay is now entering her teen years, there is a lot of pressure from her peers and lot of changes that she is experiencing - please pray that she would turn to Jesus to be a light to her peers instead of being negatively influenced by them!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
A few Silly Poems About Life
Donuts
On Valentine's Day, tried that I might,
the donuts I made did not turn out right.
Crispy on the outside, doughy in the middle-
Frying them right, to me, was a riddle!
Pasta "Party"?
Pasta prepared and house cleaned up nice
Just waiting on people to come add the spice.
Tummy is grumbling, house feeling lonely-
Come quick, so it's not me and the duck only!
Statue (Shout out to Auntie Mouse - I've been playing this recently :)
Running and giggling, I struck a still pose
When my nose was pushed, my body arose
I came alive in a dance from my statuesque role
Will the "buyer" choose me to put on his knoll?
On Valentine's Day, tried that I might,
the donuts I made did not turn out right.
Crispy on the outside, doughy in the middle-
Frying them right, to me, was a riddle!
Pasta "Party"?
Pasta prepared and house cleaned up nice
Just waiting on people to come add the spice.
Tummy is grumbling, house feeling lonely-
Come quick, so it's not me and the duck only!
Statue (Shout out to Auntie Mouse - I've been playing this recently :)
Running and giggling, I struck a still pose
When my nose was pushed, my body arose
I came alive in a dance from my statuesque role
Will the "buyer" choose me to put on his knoll?
Monday, December 26, 2011
Remembering Lidia
For two and a half weeks I had spent most of my time filling out applications for cleaning positions at hotels, barista jobs at Starbucks, super-sizing at McDonald's... I had drove, walked, and gotten lost all over the city of Milwaukee in pursuit of anyone who would hire me for the summer.
With only four and a half weeks left in Milwaukee to work, I was beginning to grow disheartened. I had many people praying for me and cheering me on. I also had a new energy and purpose after realizing that God didn't want me to work for Him, He wanted to work through me. There was a reason I hadn't gotten a job yet... I just didn't know what that reason was and my faith was beginning to falter.
Then, my two friends who I had been job-searching with, were hired! I was so excited for them... but I still wanted (and needed) a job! One of the staff members who had been cheering me on called her cousin on a long shot... maybe she would be willing to hire me on as a temp?
I met with Aimee, the staff member's cousin and Milwaukee temp placement agent, to fill out paperwork at Starbucks and learn that I would begin working for a fulfillment company in New Berlin the next day. Apparently I was hired... just like that!
My first day... I was nervous, but so grateful. Good wages, full-time hours. It was a bit of a drive, but I had a job.
When I arrived, I was told that I would be shadowing Carmen... but she was late. I would have to work with Lidia until Carmen could work with me.
I was brought over to a group of tables, with boxes grouped all around it. I was introduced to Lidia by the manager, and was told that I would be a "packer," while Lidia did the "picking." The manager showed me how to pack a couple of boxes, then left me alone to figure out the rest. Um, what? You can bet that I was praying like crazy that God would help me to do this job and learn it quickly!
I tried to ask Lidia a few questions, but she gave short answers. She seemed upset... probably because the new girl had been pushed on her and would slow her down. I felt bad, but also intimidated that her English did not seem to be that great.
After about an hour (where I'm sure I spent more time looking helpless and lost than actually being productive), Carmen arrived. Lidia stepped over to her table and there was a quick, loud exchange of Spanish. I didn't really know what was going on, but I ended up staying with Lidia for the rest of the day. Throughout the day, I kept trying to ask Lidia questions to get to know her better, as I figured I might be working with her often. To my surprise, she offered up something to me that I did not expect. She told me, "My daughters are about your age and they do not respect me. I get so angry with them."
Ohh, I was so excited to be done with my first day! I was mentally exhausted by learning a new job - figuring out how to pack different items from infomercials into boxes to be shipped to customers - physically exhausted from bending, lifting, and standing for 7 hours, and emotionally exhausted from the spiritually dark work environment that I had entered. Stepping out the door and finding my car was a welcome sight! I sped back to tell my friend Andrea all that had happened. What a day!
In the days and weeks to come, I did work more with Lidia and prayed to make the most of my opportunities with her. I learned about her family and asked her to help me learn Spanish. I could tell that she was warming up to me, and appreciated that I was learning my job quickly at the same time.
We began to have spiritual conversations as we worked. When I asked her what she thought about God, she told me, "I don't think about God." She had grown up going to church with her mother, but her mother died when she was young and she stopped going. Her sister-in-law had tried to take her to church, but it seemed too emotional for her. Everyone screamed and fell down, but she didn't feel anything. There were rules that they wanted her to follow, but she did not want to be forced into anything.
Oh, my heart ached for Lidia to know the God who created her and loved her! One day, I mentioned to Lidia that I used to be an angry kid. She was shocked - she tried to convince me that it couldn't be true. I began to tell her my story of how Jesus had showed me the hurt that my anger was bringing and that He was the one who began to change my heart. He began to soften me and fill me with His love. Her face showed amazement. I told her that God wanted to take her anger, too. He was offering her forgiveness and unfailing love. I asked Lidia to consider this offer.
At the end of the week, I gave Lidia a small booklet that explained the gospel. I was so nervous, yet I knew it was not up to me to change her heart. The next week, I asked Lidia what she thought of the booklet. She told me "it was the most beautiful thing I've ever read." She told me that she had prayed to trust Jesus as her Lord and Savior! I was so excited!! Lidia was now my sister in Christ! We had known each other for just two and a half short weeks, but I had seen Lidia come from death unto life.
Two and a half weeks I had searched and prayed for a job, and God provided!
Two and a half weeks I had prayed for boldness in sharing the gospel with Lidia and for her salvation, and God provided!
In the week and a half that followed, which was all I had left of my job for the summer, I shared with Lidia about what was now true of her in Christ. We dreamed of heaven together, and laughed over my terrible Spanish together. It was such a sweet time!
Since then, I've seen Lidia twice. She thanked me so much for bringing joy and love to her life. I had the chance to meet one of her daughters and her grandson.
It's been over 3 years now since I've seen or heard from Lidia... she has probably moved - perhaps back to Mexico. But I cannot stop thinking about her life and praying for her impact for God's kingdom. I can't wait to see Lidia in heaven and hear all that God did through her in her life!
Looking back, I am so amazed that God would have used me - a 19 year old college student, quiet and meek - to reach a 43 year old Hispanic woman, reserved and apathetic toward God. I love thinking back on all of the conversations that I had with Lidia - and with the other people who worked at that factory. I wonder at how God wove the fabrics of our lives together. I pray that God may continue to multiply my life and Lidia's life! I love to remember Lidia. Her memory always brings me to worship Jesus again.
With only four and a half weeks left in Milwaukee to work, I was beginning to grow disheartened. I had many people praying for me and cheering me on. I also had a new energy and purpose after realizing that God didn't want me to work for Him, He wanted to work through me. There was a reason I hadn't gotten a job yet... I just didn't know what that reason was and my faith was beginning to falter.
Then, my two friends who I had been job-searching with, were hired! I was so excited for them... but I still wanted (and needed) a job! One of the staff members who had been cheering me on called her cousin on a long shot... maybe she would be willing to hire me on as a temp?
I met with Aimee, the staff member's cousin and Milwaukee temp placement agent, to fill out paperwork at Starbucks and learn that I would begin working for a fulfillment company in New Berlin the next day. Apparently I was hired... just like that!
My first day... I was nervous, but so grateful. Good wages, full-time hours. It was a bit of a drive, but I had a job.
When I arrived, I was told that I would be shadowing Carmen... but she was late. I would have to work with Lidia until Carmen could work with me.
I was brought over to a group of tables, with boxes grouped all around it. I was introduced to Lidia by the manager, and was told that I would be a "packer," while Lidia did the "picking." The manager showed me how to pack a couple of boxes, then left me alone to figure out the rest. Um, what? You can bet that I was praying like crazy that God would help me to do this job and learn it quickly!
I tried to ask Lidia a few questions, but she gave short answers. She seemed upset... probably because the new girl had been pushed on her and would slow her down. I felt bad, but also intimidated that her English did not seem to be that great.
After about an hour (where I'm sure I spent more time looking helpless and lost than actually being productive), Carmen arrived. Lidia stepped over to her table and there was a quick, loud exchange of Spanish. I didn't really know what was going on, but I ended up staying with Lidia for the rest of the day. Throughout the day, I kept trying to ask Lidia questions to get to know her better, as I figured I might be working with her often. To my surprise, she offered up something to me that I did not expect. She told me, "My daughters are about your age and they do not respect me. I get so angry with them."
Ohh, I was so excited to be done with my first day! I was mentally exhausted by learning a new job - figuring out how to pack different items from infomercials into boxes to be shipped to customers - physically exhausted from bending, lifting, and standing for 7 hours, and emotionally exhausted from the spiritually dark work environment that I had entered. Stepping out the door and finding my car was a welcome sight! I sped back to tell my friend Andrea all that had happened. What a day!
In the days and weeks to come, I did work more with Lidia and prayed to make the most of my opportunities with her. I learned about her family and asked her to help me learn Spanish. I could tell that she was warming up to me, and appreciated that I was learning my job quickly at the same time.
We began to have spiritual conversations as we worked. When I asked her what she thought about God, she told me, "I don't think about God." She had grown up going to church with her mother, but her mother died when she was young and she stopped going. Her sister-in-law had tried to take her to church, but it seemed too emotional for her. Everyone screamed and fell down, but she didn't feel anything. There were rules that they wanted her to follow, but she did not want to be forced into anything.
Oh, my heart ached for Lidia to know the God who created her and loved her! One day, I mentioned to Lidia that I used to be an angry kid. She was shocked - she tried to convince me that it couldn't be true. I began to tell her my story of how Jesus had showed me the hurt that my anger was bringing and that He was the one who began to change my heart. He began to soften me and fill me with His love. Her face showed amazement. I told her that God wanted to take her anger, too. He was offering her forgiveness and unfailing love. I asked Lidia to consider this offer.
At the end of the week, I gave Lidia a small booklet that explained the gospel. I was so nervous, yet I knew it was not up to me to change her heart. The next week, I asked Lidia what she thought of the booklet. She told me "it was the most beautiful thing I've ever read." She told me that she had prayed to trust Jesus as her Lord and Savior! I was so excited!! Lidia was now my sister in Christ! We had known each other for just two and a half short weeks, but I had seen Lidia come from death unto life.
Two and a half weeks I had searched and prayed for a job, and God provided!
Two and a half weeks I had prayed for boldness in sharing the gospel with Lidia and for her salvation, and God provided!
In the week and a half that followed, which was all I had left of my job for the summer, I shared with Lidia about what was now true of her in Christ. We dreamed of heaven together, and laughed over my terrible Spanish together. It was such a sweet time!
Since then, I've seen Lidia twice. She thanked me so much for bringing joy and love to her life. I had the chance to meet one of her daughters and her grandson.
It's been over 3 years now since I've seen or heard from Lidia... she has probably moved - perhaps back to Mexico. But I cannot stop thinking about her life and praying for her impact for God's kingdom. I can't wait to see Lidia in heaven and hear all that God did through her in her life!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Winter Collage
I'm very fond of writing in rhyme, so let me share with you how I've been spending my time:
Cheering for the Pack at a Monday night game, the Vikings sure lost - and that's not a shame!
Boxes of Love came and went in a flash- with our church partners, we made quite a splash
Spending time with my friends in so many ways, from coffee to cooking and to Christmas plays
There's probably more I could add to this post, but keeping things simple is what I value most :)
Cheering for the Pack at a Monday night game, the Vikings sure lost - and that's not a shame!
Boxes of Love came and went in a flash- with our church partners, we made quite a splash
Spending time with my friends in so many ways, from coffee to cooking and to Christmas plays
There's probably more I could add to this post, but keeping things simple is what I value most :)
 |
| At the game with some of my team: Jeff & Sarah, Kara, Me |
 |
| I taught an evangelism training at Boxes of Love for our ministry partners |
 |
| Kara and Tang are not only part of the HLIC staff team, they are also my roomies! |
 |
| Our photographer cued us for different emotions... this was tired. |
 |
| Scared... although, Tang looks a little too happy to be scared :) |
 |
| Keepin' it real in the hood. |
Life Light Up - HLIC Mission and Vision
Check out this slideshow that I put together to describe the ministry of Here's Life Inner City. It gives a great picture of what we're all about!
Life Light Up - HLIC Mission and Vision
Life Light Up - HLIC Mission and Vision
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Hope Changes Everything
This past Friday night, over 80 people gathered for a night of fellowship and encouragement to hear what God is doing through the ministry of Here's Life Inner City and our partner ministries in Milwaukee. It was an awesome evening filled with testimonies of how lives have been changed by the hope that Jesus brings. We also presented our financial needs for the coming year and saw the Lord provide.
Thank you for your prayers!
I worked on putting together a video slideshow of the mission and vision of our ministries that we played at the event, but unfortunately it's not working for me to load it to this site. We're working on putting it up on our website, so once that is complete, I'll attach a link so that you may enjoy it. :)
In the meantime... just because I love pictures and don't think a post is complete without them, here are some recent pics with my niece, Julia, and nephew, Ben. (I told Ben to be silly... this is what I got.)
Thank you for your prayers!
I worked on putting together a video slideshow of the mission and vision of our ministries that we played at the event, but unfortunately it's not working for me to load it to this site. We're working on putting it up on our website, so once that is complete, I'll attach a link so that you may enjoy it. :)
In the meantime... just because I love pictures and don't think a post is complete without them, here are some recent pics with my niece, Julia, and nephew, Ben. (I told Ben to be silly... this is what I got.)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Enjoying Fall!
I am totally loving fall! There have been some exciting things happening here - including my dear friend Andrea, who is on my staff team, having her twins in late September! They've been in the NICU and I still have yet to see them in person, but I hope to meet them next week when they come home... Lord willing! A week before baby boy (SD) and baby girl (EG) came into the world, a group of ladies came together to shower Andrea with lots of gifts, fun, and love.
I've also been enjoying getting into a "normal" schedule and having time to bond with my roomies and other friends. Above is my friend Kara who is also my roommate and my trainer. She gets to spend a lot of time with me, so it's good that we get along. :)
Our team is small and is really more of a family, so I get the privilege of spending a lot of time with my director's kids. HB is a little 3.5 year old cutie and has 3 brothers, so she eats up the time that she gets to spend with girl friends. She likes to tell me, "you're my friend a lot." Totally adorable! And of course, her mama is wrapped around her little finger. Sarah has been such an encouragement to me through the transition to this team and a new season of life. I'm so blessed to be among such awesome people!
Another fun part of my fall has been spending time with some friends that I originally met in Milwaukee during our summer missions project. We all moved to Milwaukee this year. Shira (left in red) and Emily (right in red) are serving with CityYear, a branch of Americorps, to work as tutors and mentors in inner city schools. Their roommate, Courtney (far left), is student teaching in Milwaukee. We've been enjoying the fall by cheering on the Packers together and going pumpkin picking.This past weekend, I went with Kara to her hometown of Montello, where we visited with her parents and I was able to see many friends from Madison who were at a Christian camp there for Cru's fall retreat. It was such a fun and refreshing weekend - especially seeing all the beautiful fall colors! ...and of course, the famous Granite Falls in Montello. :)