The Call

For days, I have not been able to stop thinking about those beautiful children in Papua New Guinea at BFO Orphanage. My heart was anxious and my mind was constantly racing. I was in distress. I was even becoming (irrationally) upset that my contacts for the orphanage weren't emailing me back. Even though it hadn't even been a day since my last sent e-mail.

And then a few nights ago, as I was reading a book by Max Lucado (Outlive Your Life), I realized something. I realized that, yes, these orphans need food, they need water, they need clothes. But most of all, they need Jesus. They need their creator, who loves them more than anything in the world, the one who planned their every breath! I then silently scolded myself. "Why, then, if you know these children need their creator, their father, are YOU not asking HIM what to do???"

I prayed, I told my father that I REALLY want to go. But my true desire is to serve him and follow his will. I want his will to be mine. I told him to do what he had planned with my life, because I am his.

That night I received a call from Dave of Orphan List. He told me the need for workers in Papua New Guinea. They need short and long term workers. We would most likely be able to go as soon as I raise the money. I was so flubbin ecstatic. 

It's funny how God does that. I knew that I wanted to go all along. But as soon as I gave the issue to the almighty, It was as if he said, "Well, Goodness, It's about time you give me back that book of life plans. NOW we can move along." 

Well Daddy God, I thank you.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future,"

-Jeremiah 29:11

Beauty.

I sat at the kitchen table with a sweet five year old girl from my Mom's daycare.
    The mail had just come in, and seeing that I had a few minutes alone with her, I handed her the Norstrom catalog. A simple but great pleasure for a young girl who loves fashion. I picked up the JCPenney catalog, and started to admire one such model in a pair of skinny jeans and a v neck blouse.
    Her face was beautiful. Her body size: Not even that of a twig. I looked longingly at the Emerald green jeans, thinking how much they would satisfy my funky fashion sense. "J," I exclaimed, "Look at those jeans! They are so cute!" She flashed a smile and a quick "Yes! SO CUTE!"
    "They are," I say, "But she makes them look good, I'm not as beau-" I stopped my sentence. I had to think.
   Was I really saying what I was about to? What would this teach this precious piece of perfection if I really concluded that sentence how I planned to?
These thoughts raced through my mind. Do I really want to teach her that beauty means being a size two, nice complexion, thick hair...

You see, Society has this funny thing for the word beauty. It's fixed. Rigged. Jacked. Who created beauty anyway? Not Society. I know that.
 
"For we are God's masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
Ephesians 2:10
   We are his MASTERPIECE! Imagine that. The artist of artists. The Creator of everything. The Start. WE are his masterpiece!
   " ...so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."- He created us the way we are so we can follow his plan!

    So as I abruptly ended my sentence, I immediately corrected myself. "I was about to say beautiful, J. But we are all beautiful, right!? God made us just how we are. And that means we are beautiful!" She nodded in agreement.
    No matter who you are, whether you are loud, quiet, have long hair,a bald head, big thumbs, small noses, eleven toes....

YOU are God's masterpiece. He created you exactly how you are so that you can be a part of something bigger. His Plan.

You are a child of God.

Getting Anxious...

Yesterday, As I was at work {I work as a preschool teacher}, 

I could not stop thinking about the sweet orphans at Bible Faith Orphanage in PNG.

I was getting anxious.

Anxious about what? 

I want to go to PNG and hug those sweet necks!

but then I am reminded...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.- Philippians  4:6-7

Weellll Goodness bajeezers. 

I don't really wanna wait, Goodddddd!!! *say in whiny tone*

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you Hope and a Future," Jeremiah 29:11

I am thankful for wonderful family and friends that remind me of these things when I get anxious.

So last night, instead of being anxious, I went onto 

www.orphanlist.org

(link tab at top of blog!!!)

and found a beautiful child to support!

Please consider going to this website, and supporting a Papua New Guinean Orphan!!

It is only around $35/ month.

This money pays for 

food, clothing, school, and medical!!

If you cannot support financially, 

please do the best thing of all, 

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!!

(pictures to come soon of my sweet child!)

The Video That Started It All

A few days ago, I was going about my "normal" life.
   I woke up, checked my phone for notifications, brushed my teeth, put my new outfit on, and ate a hearty breakfast. A routine I considered mediocre; and definitely hadn't been thankful for. My life had been flying by lately. I had just turned Eighteen, and of course everything {and I mean everything} revolved around the statement "I'm an adult, you can't make me do anything,".
                         
                                I was going through the motions,
                                questioning my faith,
                                taking for granted {even hating} the good things in my life,
                                Although I would never admit it, I felt I had no purpose,
                                No meaning,
                             
So as I sat at the breakfast table, thinking of what I wanted for Christmas, and why the iPhone 3gs wasn't good enough; my mom whipped out her computer. She proceeded to tell me of an orphanage that had opened in her homeland {Papua New Guinea}. "Ok, Ok," I thought, "Get on with it, I've got some pinning to do,"

Of course, I had ALWAYS had a heart for the orphans, but after eighteen years of asking God for an adopted little sister, my meek faith, had given up hope.

But the video, I saw it and...
It was a feeling I can't explain.
It was as if, I found a missing piece of my heart.


These kids have no parents, not enough food. They sleep outside.
Yet they still Smile. They still thank God for what they have.

I found myself, in the days to come, not able to lose the thought of these kids or this ministry. Does God want me to go? Does he want me to raise money, or awareness?

I pray that, whatever God has in store for me, for these kids, maybe all of us together, that he will reveal his plan.

I believe with all my heart, this is the start of something great.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Isaiah 6:8