I give.
Because He first gave to me.
God has given us all.
He is all and is in all.
He holds the universe in His hands.
He loves us as his own children. Because of His Love, I will freely give. Because of His Love, my sins are washed away. Because of His Love, I live. Jesus has overcome the world, he has overcome death. New life is born. Thank you for giving me new life. In response to this, I give generously. It is my response to his grace poured upon me. I do not give to show off, I do not give out of guilt, I do not give because I am rich, nor do I give in hopes of gaining wealth. No, I give because He first gave to me new life, so this is my response. This is my way to show I am thankful for what he has given to me. It isn't much, but it is out of my thankfulness that I give. It brings me great joy to give. I stand firm in Him and I trust in Him to continue to provide for my needs.
Naturally, it is hard to give. It hurts. Especially not having a consistent job. But when I remember why I give, and to whom I give to it changes things. I am blessed beyond measure and this is my response.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Frenchies come to Nola!
For the past week we have had 2 french women staying at our apartment. Their names are Isabelle and Sandrine. They are here for a total of 13 days and are with a group of students who are doing an exchange with Newman High School students. It's been really great, I am certain we have the best 2 of the group. They are both English teachers in France. We have done our best to show them the culture, music and amazing food New Orleans has to offer.
Friday night we brought them down to Frenchman Street to hear some amazing jazz music at Snug Harbor. A guy from England that Adrienne works with plays the Sax and was performing at Snug Harbor. He was able to get us into the sold out show for free! It was pretty impressive. Jazz music is such a mystery to me, how they flow and feed off each other- true talent. As we were leaving the show we decided to take a walk down the ever happening Frenchman Street. We could hear a brass band in the distance, me and Adrienne turned to each other in sheer happiness. We raced down the street to find the source of the music we were hearing. There was a brass band playing in the street with a huge crowd circled around. Some were dancing to the music, some listened with huge grins, while others watched in utter culture shock. As I watched all this I had a moment... and I thought to myself: This is why I love New Orleans so much.
Sunday evening we brought the whole crew (25 high school kids and 4 teachers) down to the quarter to Preservation Hall, a famous jazz hall nestled off the madness of Bourbon and St. Peter's St. We opted for the streetcar route to reach the quarter. Once again I had a moment. We had the hook up at Preservation Hall as well. When we arrived there was a long line of people waiting for the rod iron entrance gate to open. Adrienne shoved her way up to the gate to have a word with the manager, meanwhile we were getting yelled at by a group of Italians waiting in line. Once the manager knew we had arrived she opened the gate and let only our group in. When this happened the whole line bursted out in a loud yell. They were not happy. It was quite an experience, and we felt really cool. The jazz was simply enchanting. As I listened to the notes bounce off the piano, drums, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone I closed my eyes and got lost. As the melodies rolled off the instruments so beautifully it took me back in time. Need I say, I had another moment.
Monday night Isabell and Sandrine cooked us an authentic French meal typical for their region in France. It was delicious. Salmon with a cream sauce full of butter and challots, a side of veggies consisting of leeks and carrots, and homemade crepes for dessert. Yummy! Tuesday night Adrienne took them to Jaques-Imos. If you haven't ever been there than you've never truly experienced New Orleans. That place is chalk full of character, and needless to say AMAZING food! Tonight we will go to the warehouse district for some music and good food at Couchon.
Having these two ladies stay with us has really meant a lot to me. When I was living in France the people there opened up their homes to me so many times. People I didn't even know were so hospitable to me. In turn, I am opening up my house to these strangers. I am living life with them for 2 weeks. I am learning from them and hopefully they are learning something from me. My desire is to always have an open door to serve people, even when it's not the most convenient or comfortable situation for me. They have offered us to come stay with them in France, and of course we took them up on the offer!
Friday night we brought them down to Frenchman Street to hear some amazing jazz music at Snug Harbor. A guy from England that Adrienne works with plays the Sax and was performing at Snug Harbor. He was able to get us into the sold out show for free! It was pretty impressive. Jazz music is such a mystery to me, how they flow and feed off each other- true talent. As we were leaving the show we decided to take a walk down the ever happening Frenchman Street. We could hear a brass band in the distance, me and Adrienne turned to each other in sheer happiness. We raced down the street to find the source of the music we were hearing. There was a brass band playing in the street with a huge crowd circled around. Some were dancing to the music, some listened with huge grins, while others watched in utter culture shock. As I watched all this I had a moment... and I thought to myself: This is why I love New Orleans so much.
Sunday evening we brought the whole crew (25 high school kids and 4 teachers) down to the quarter to Preservation Hall, a famous jazz hall nestled off the madness of Bourbon and St. Peter's St. We opted for the streetcar route to reach the quarter. Once again I had a moment. We had the hook up at Preservation Hall as well. When we arrived there was a long line of people waiting for the rod iron entrance gate to open. Adrienne shoved her way up to the gate to have a word with the manager, meanwhile we were getting yelled at by a group of Italians waiting in line. Once the manager knew we had arrived she opened the gate and let only our group in. When this happened the whole line bursted out in a loud yell. They were not happy. It was quite an experience, and we felt really cool. The jazz was simply enchanting. As I listened to the notes bounce off the piano, drums, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone I closed my eyes and got lost. As the melodies rolled off the instruments so beautifully it took me back in time. Need I say, I had another moment.
Monday night Isabell and Sandrine cooked us an authentic French meal typical for their region in France. It was delicious. Salmon with a cream sauce full of butter and challots, a side of veggies consisting of leeks and carrots, and homemade crepes for dessert. Yummy! Tuesday night Adrienne took them to Jaques-Imos. If you haven't ever been there than you've never truly experienced New Orleans. That place is chalk full of character, and needless to say AMAZING food! Tonight we will go to the warehouse district for some music and good food at Couchon.
Having these two ladies stay with us has really meant a lot to me. When I was living in France the people there opened up their homes to me so many times. People I didn't even know were so hospitable to me. In turn, I am opening up my house to these strangers. I am living life with them for 2 weeks. I am learning from them and hopefully they are learning something from me. My desire is to always have an open door to serve people, even when it's not the most convenient or comfortable situation for me. They have offered us to come stay with them in France, and of course we took them up on the offer!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Struggle much?
I have been kind of struggling lately. I've been struggling with my current circumstances, I've felt a little down lately. I know it's all part of the life cycle we live, we have high times and low times. I was starting to doubt things in my life. How easily do I forget what God has blessed me with! How petty can I be, how fast do I lose sight of what God is doing all around me. I am thankful for the "hard times" because it draws me ever closer to God. He is a good God. He is with me and for me. He loves me more than I can comprehend. Forgive me for my unbelief, increase my faith Father.
He spoke to me today in His word. In James Chapter 1 it says: "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." He is growing me and maturing me. I need more wisdom. I need more faith to not doubt. So I will ask for these things and I believe He will answer my request.
God has recently brought a lot of people into my life. I've gotten to know an Orthodontist here in New Orleans who is determined to find me a job. I have been subbing regularly at Sacred Heart and the sweet teachers there have taken me under their wings and are determined to help me out as well. I am so thankful. People are shedding kindness on me, its my turn to do it in return.
God can turn all things into good. I am grounded in this promise and in the promises that are in His word. So I will persevere, I will fight the good fight, I will not doubt. I trust in the one who holds the universe in His hand.
He spoke to me today in His word. In James Chapter 1 it says: "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." He is growing me and maturing me. I need more wisdom. I need more faith to not doubt. So I will ask for these things and I believe He will answer my request.
God has recently brought a lot of people into my life. I've gotten to know an Orthodontist here in New Orleans who is determined to find me a job. I have been subbing regularly at Sacred Heart and the sweet teachers there have taken me under their wings and are determined to help me out as well. I am so thankful. People are shedding kindness on me, its my turn to do it in return.
God can turn all things into good. I am grounded in this promise and in the promises that are in His word. So I will persevere, I will fight the good fight, I will not doubt. I trust in the one who holds the universe in His hand.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
No more fun @ the Y-M-C-A
I was a brunette, but for only 4 days. I'm back to sort of being a blonde. I was wanting a change, I felt like I was in a rut.
Change.
Why is change so hard for us? We are such creatures of habit. This world is consistently changing all around us, but we put on blinders and force things not to change or we try to change things hoping to make it better than before, hence my hair. But, most times we end up messing everything up! I am learning how little control I have over my life, and at the same time how much there is out there for me to accomplish. I am learning the world will slip on by me if I don't get out there and live! I desire to be used for the purpose I was created to be used- to love God, to love People, to live the Gospel.
This world is a broken place. Things happen and we don't understand why, people do things that don't make sense. I have a friend who was working for the YMCA in Lake Charles. The board recently called all of the programs off at the Y and let him go as well as demoting his boss. Good things were going on at the Y, children were being taught Christian principles, they were getting to play on sports teams and learning valuable character building lessons. They were loved and accepted. It's a shame all this had to come to an end. Hopefully one day the YMCA in Lake Charles will have a rebirth and will be a thriving community center, from the looks of things though, this may only be in our dreams.
So, what now? We live, we thrive, we love.
Change.
Why is change so hard for us? We are such creatures of habit. This world is consistently changing all around us, but we put on blinders and force things not to change or we try to change things hoping to make it better than before, hence my hair. But, most times we end up messing everything up! I am learning how little control I have over my life, and at the same time how much there is out there for me to accomplish. I am learning the world will slip on by me if I don't get out there and live! I desire to be used for the purpose I was created to be used- to love God, to love People, to live the Gospel.
This world is a broken place. Things happen and we don't understand why, people do things that don't make sense. I have a friend who was working for the YMCA in Lake Charles. The board recently called all of the programs off at the Y and let him go as well as demoting his boss. Good things were going on at the Y, children were being taught Christian principles, they were getting to play on sports teams and learning valuable character building lessons. They were loved and accepted. It's a shame all this had to come to an end. Hopefully one day the YMCA in Lake Charles will have a rebirth and will be a thriving community center, from the looks of things though, this may only be in our dreams.
So, what now? We live, we thrive, we love.
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