I'm finding myself at a loss for words, and the funny thing is, it's okay... --- "Word of GOD speak" Mercy Me.

Wow. What a weekend...

Oh my goodness. What a weekend. The last two days have been the BEST two days of my life. EVER.
I attended the Chi Alpha Spring Retreat on Saturday. I finally realized that GOD is calling me to go to Mali next January. Yep, I said Mali. West Africa. One of the poorest nations on earth. Here is copy and paste version of the email I sent my sister Kimberly:
Wow. What an eye opening day yesterday! Okay, I found out that the Mali missions experience is NOT for this summer. And you know, I have no idea where I got that from that it was this summer. I'm a planner. I was planning. And, boy, don't we know that's the wrong thing to do :)) Last night in the evening service after I found out that the summer trip wasn't going to happen this year, I was devastated. It doesn't begin until the beginning of 2011. I knew that this was something GOD had told me to do - (b/c He told me "what I've shown you, GO!"). So yeah, I wanted to leave the building right then and there (I was thinking that to myself).I was almost in tears. And then the evening service started. And something clicked inside me. I had PLANNED this summer. I had planned it for myself. The key was letting GOD do the work. SO, like I was saying something clicked. Something major. The speaker was speaking on getting out of your boat (like Peter). Tradition, comfort, security, etc. I could't begin to imagine how I could still go on this trip. When would there be another slot of time for me to go? I'm graduating in Dec, then getting a job in Jan. Needless to say, GOD showed me that my boat that I needed to leave behind was tradition and the fear of not having money to pay back my student loans (you have to begin 6 mnths after graduation). The tradition of settling down, doing what everyone does, following the American dream. I realized that my security was holding me back. His wife then said you can either be miserable with yourself the rest of your life, or let GOD lead you into an amazing journey. I don't want to have regrets. I don't care about the American dream. I want to do what GOD has called me to do.
So, GOD willing, next January I'll be going to Mali. That's right - I'm not applying for a job after graduation for the next school semester. I'm not. I'm sick of giving in to fear, to living the secure and comfortable life. I'm sick of doing it. And I'm not going to do it anymore. I just can't. It breaks my heart to think I'd get married, have kids, and live comfortably and completely MISS what GOD wants to do in my life. Call me crazy (and boy do I feel it coming on from some people around me), but I'm following GOD to where He is saying He is. I'm following His plan, not mine. For how long it is, I don't know. Only He knows.

Okay, that great experience was yesterday. Here is tonight:

Tonight at my home church we had a Women's Ministries service and a special speaker, Earline Butts. She is a very elderly lady. Well, she prophesied over me. Yeah, WHOA! That has never happened to me before. I thought it never would. But it did - tonight. I was crying like a baby. It was so real, the things she said were like GOD was speaking to me directly, right for that moment, right in my situation that I am in right now in life. It was amazing. She started out asking how old I was. I told her twenty two. Then she said something about that I was going through something right now, and that GOD has His hand on me. She said that whatever GOD was showing me that He was going to make a way. GOSH, I was shaking afterwards. How AMAZINGGGG is GOD?!! The last two days have been the best days of my entire life. Profound things have been shown to me. GOD has moved in profound ways. It's amazing what can happen when you let GOD know that you're giving Him everything.

Yeah. I had to copy and paste the emails b/c I am at a loss for words now. But, boy, is it SO AMAZINGGG!!

break my heart for what breaks Yours. Everything I have for your kingdom's cause as I walk from earth into eternity. --- "Hosanna" by Hillsong United.

I have more to tell you guys, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow :))

THE ULTIMATE PRAISE REPORT!!

GREAT NEWS!!! My cousin Kay came through the triple bypass surgery great!!

Jesus, You are stronger, more than ANY other! Hallelujah, what a Savior! --- Laura Story.

Thankful Thursday

I am SO thankful that GOD has placed Africa on my heart... in my dreams... in my thoughts. I can't express to you how much Africa consumes me, heart and soul, mind and body. I KNOW that He placed it there. I didn't used to care. I mean I could care less (another post for another day) a couple of years ago. If you had asked me about Africa, I probably would've changed the subject to be honest with you. Now, I'm going to be the conversation starter with the topic of Africa :))
Africa is so beautiful - landscape and people. Everything about them screams beauty to me. Their hope in the trying times. Their suffering that goes so deep, yet they still press on. Africa, I know GOD placed you in my life for a reason. And I'm so thankful that He has used you to open up my eyes to His word.

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27 (NLT)

Thank You, GOD, for opening my eyes. I'll never be the same.

"Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."
Ephesians 5:17

I have heard GOD whisper to me to GO, and I will. But there are things in my near future that right now seem to leave me at a crossroads. I have to pray about it and seek GOD's guidance. I want it to be His plan, whatever I do.

jesus is holding out his hand.

Jesus is holding out His hand. He wants to show you things you've never seen before. Things you've never dreamed of. Things that would blow your mind. Will you take His hand, and say yes, LORD - I choose to believe that You're all I will EVER need?

"Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:31


"Everybody’s scared to death when they decide to take that step out on the water - it’ll be alright. Life is SO much more than what your eyes are seeing. You will find your way if you keep believing."
--- Kutless "What Faith Can DO"

Holden's 6th Bday

My nephew Holden celebrated his sixth birthday this past Wednesday, and had a birthday party with some of his classmates today. It's hard to believe he is already SIX! I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. I received the call from my mom while at school that my sister was in labor/or had already had Holden. After school, my sister and I drove to see this new little nephew. He was gorgeous. Sweet. Holden Sheppard B. You've gotta love him :))

This afternoon at his party I took the opportunity of catching some shots of his party decor and also of Holden playing around on the firetruck that was brought to his party for the kids to look at/play on. Holden is set on becoming a fireman one day when he grows up. Now, I know that a lot of little guys say they want to be a fireman, but Holden is serious. It has been his dream ever since I can remember. He does THE BEST siren impression I've ever heard. He knows ALL of the names of the different trucks/equipment. I'm sure if his dad would have let him he would have driven it around town this afternoon :))
Here are some pictures of six year old Holden & his party.