We leave on Friday for the Thanksgiving Mission Trip to Grace Centers of Hope, it’s a quick trip but a great one. I love serving there, however a lot of times I actually don’t get to do anything but cook and clean and serve the kids who do the work. Somehow I forget how much work it is to get ready until I am in the thick of it all, but its so fun for me (I’m such a nerd). And I’ve got some great meals and desserts planned ;<)

And I’ll tell you, it’s one of my favorite things in the world. I love spending the time with kids, as I refer to them ~ my kids. I’m excited because there are about 6 kids that I don’t really know, they are newer to Alive. I’m excited to get to know them and feed them.

I’ve got a couple things planned for the devotionals and some cool worship stuff.

It’s going to be awesome, and my prayer is that His love just beams from all of us while we are there!

James 1:19-27
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. 26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world

my heart and my butt

I don't think anyone reads this blog, and that's ok.

This really has nothing to do with I love Detroit except that I had my 2008 mission trip shirt on when I went for a walk.

Michigan is known for being a bunch of fatties. I've actually struggled with my weight all my life. Well, since i was in 5th grade. I never liked exercise unless it was running to the cabinet or refridge to get something to eat.

I decided this week that I was going to get my act together and beat this addiction! Yes it is ok to have ice cream, just not the whole half gallon!

It's about making better choices. A new thing I've started is that I put my salad on my plate with the rest of my food so it takes up space and it's better for me!

Nahum 1:13 13 Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away."

Today I really wanted some peanut butter fudge ice cream (Meijer brand) that Kevin bought me the other day! So I had some, and then I went for a 33 minute walk. I didn't feel guilty about the ice cream and I did feel good about getting out and walking!

Tomorrow we're going on the boat. I'm only taking veggies to snack on, no chips or junk! I'll be cleaning the boat and swimming so I will be in good shape for tomorrow!

So hopefully my heart is growing and my butt is shrinking!

Yesterday I should have gone to the Metro Baptism, I probably should have planned better but I knew I had so much to do (and if you know me, you know that large events make me SOOO uncomfortable, I come pretty close to having panic attacks at them its kind of ironic that I belong to a big church)!! I've been crossing things off a little at a time, I even asked for help!! and when someone asked if they could help, I said "YES!" and gave them a list! LOL!

God is stretching me! And I'm growing! AND I'm excited!

After most of my running around I went and sat with 'the car' at Utica Car Show with Kevin. The funny thing is... I think it's ridiculous to sit around and look at cars, no offense to anyone who loves that kind of stuff, but to me, it was just nice to sit and relax talk, eat some average tasting Polish food, I even got a haircut (which I decided to get while walking past the salon on the way to get my Polish food). It was nice to sit and do nothing and get my thoughts and lists together (see I never really don't do anything...lol) I thought about things that have worked on the mission trips and things we needed to work on, made my lists and got organized when I got home, I even went to bed early.

I'm excited about tonight's Alive Prayer gathering, that I'll probably be organizing through but I'll be praying while I organize. Please pray for Alive tonight (and always), salvation, the mission trip, that we're safe, but DANGEROUS, that satan gets bound up like someone who ate too much cheese, that relationships are formed and grown, that we have enough food, that all the paint gets on the walls and projects are completed beautifully, that our "Party in the Park" brings children who don't know Jesus into a relationship with Him.

God is so good, and I want the world to know!! One beautiful child (person) at a time.

Today's verse of the day: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”- James 1:22

slow to speak and slow to anger... again!!

Yesterday I got an email that said "sorry they decided to send the kids to a different church for VBS"

My first thought was "UGH! We've bought the stuff!!" so I called GCH... their kids have been blessed to go to YMCA day camp...

Then... I called Miguel who had this BRILLIANT idea to do VBS 'Colombian Style', takin' it to the streets! We've got this great park picked out, a park that used to be over run by drugs, only to have the neighborhood take it over and make it a place where kids can be kids, where they can grow and dream!! SWEET!

I'm not going to lie, I was furious and frustrated but I just looked up and said "Your will". This trip is nothing about me and all about Him. Not sure what this is going to look like this week, but His view is so much better than mine.

And for the record... I did keep my big mouth shut! And none of the fruit fell of my tree!!

James 1:19 19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Oh... and another lesson learned... I had a ton of shopping to do... and I ASKED FOR HELP! maybe it's not a big deal for someone else to ask for help, but it's not easy for me. And it's not about thinking I'm not good enough, it's about knowing 1) I can't do it all, and 2) other people like to help too! They have great gifts and should be able to use them! God is working in me!!!

I've been praying for awhile

I have thought for quite awhile that Grace Gospel Fellowship needed a Youth Group, well, two, because I think Jr. High and Sr. High should not have the same YG. I know churches that do both but in my humble opinion it should be seperate.

I'm excited that on Wednesday Darin asked for volunteers. Now, I won't be one of them, but I can pray. I also sent him some suggestions about what we do that works. Silly stuff, post cards, games, food, etc.

I've said it before, Youth Ministry can be brutal. It tugs at your heart, sometimes it's heartbreaking, but mostly, it's the most amazing thing you've ever done in your life! I was so excited to have some time off to rest from Fuel and Alive, and now... I miss it. I wish that we had Alive tomorrow. I miss my kids!

I'm praying for Grace Gospel Fellowship's Youth Ministry in addition to Alive and Fuel, please do the same. Kids, and families to be reached by Christ. SALVATION! FORGIVENESS! GRACE! HOPE! LOVE! LOVE!! LOVE!!!

Another one...

We've got like 58 people officially signed up for the Mission Trip!!! I am so excited about what God is going to do and how our little Mission Trip will advance His kingdom. To be used by God, what a joy!

Figuring out the food might seem like such an insignificant task but I feel like it's so important. I put a lot of thought into it, I have to be aware of dietary restrictions... Who is allergic to what, who is a vegetarian, etc, and the food MUST taste good, but to be honest, but the time I'm done cooking, I'm not that hungry.

Its difficult to transport all the food for the trip because of coolers, not enough space in my fridge, so this year I will buy what I can find on sale, get the stuff for lunches, and the rest I will buy from the Aldi's down the street from Detroit Rescue Mission and I will utilize Eastern Market, and HOPEFULLY have some home-grown produce to bring.

On another front, I was able to speak with our Pastor, Jeremy, he got me the deal of a century on paint! To God be the GLORY!! For one place I need 5 - 5 gallon paint thingies, and he saved me about $50 per container so instead of spending $500 for that one place, I will spend $250!! WOOOO HOOOOOOO!!! Also secured the scaffolding that we need to paint the Grace Kitchen!

Since Adam is in Colombia, I really wanted to step up, and honestly, there are a few things I've been worried about... and so I love to see how God answers my prayers, though they may seem insignificant to someone else, I take this mission seriously. I feel like in all the things I am not good in, God handles it. He knows when I am weak, and in my weakness, He makes me strong!

I'd love to have another 15 people sign up! So, God, today I'm asking for You to put it on the hearts of those You want to serve, and I ask that you provide the resources for them to come (the money!!).

Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Meal Schedule

Monday -
Breakfast - No breakfast provided
Lunch - Lunch meat/snacks/water/fruit
Dinner - Pasta Bar (Spaghetti, Alfredo) Garlic Bread, salad

Tuesday
Breakfast - Pancakes & Sausage
Lunch - Lunch meat/snacks/water/fruit
Dinner - BBQ Hamburgers/Hot dogs. salad, fruit/veggies, chips, Ice cream sandwich cake

Wednesday (Tiger game Day HOPEFULLY!!)
Breakfast - cereal/milk/ fruit/bagels/toast
Lunch - Lunch meat/snacks/water/fruit
Dinner - Mexican night! Tacos/burritos and all that goes along with it! Dessert

Thursday
Breakfast - cereal/milk/ fruit/bagels/toast
Lunch - Lunch meat/snacks/water/fruit
Dinner - Baked Chicken, mac & cheese, veggie, salad, brownies

Friday
Breakfast - Pancakes & Sausage
Lunch - Lunch meat/snacks/water/fruit
Dinner - Pizza?

Outdoor Concert!!

One of the things we have planned (hopefully!) is to have an outdoor outreach concert with ICRIS, an awesome man of God. I went to stop in at the McDonald's to see if they would let us have it there. I was REALLY REALLY nervous. I prayed for open hearts as I spoke about it. Last year we were there dancing in the parking lot.

I walked in and it was crazy busy, I thought it would be good if I went in at 2:30. Anyway, I met with the Manager, Michael, who was awesome! He talked to his marketing person who said to send over the info and she would run it by the owner.

Pray about this! Please !!! it would be great if we could do it, if we could reach those who don't know Christ who are broken by this world, but can be redeemed! There is hope and His name is JESUS! He came to save us!!

ICRIS

We are looking into doing an outreach in Highland Park... hopefully at the McDonald's!

We have an AWESOME rapper coming from Lansing! I am totally stoked about this! This man is an amazing man of God. God has taken his brokenness and made him whole.

This man started out in this world as a mess! And was like pig pen spreading his mess, until God grabbed ahold of him and said "it is finished!" meaning the mess!

I'm excited to see what God has in store for this Mission trip!!

Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

CHECK!

I had a student come up to me and say "here's my deposit for the DETROIT MISSION TRIP, I don't know how I am going to come up with the rest, but I know God wants me to go".

I have seen God do quite a work in this beautiful young woman's life. Its been truly amazing to watch a broken beat up child transform into what God had created her to be... simply beautiful.

Today while standing at the resource center a wonderful couple asked if there was a way they could sponsor a student who couldn't afford to go. And instantly I thought of that beauty. God did want her to go, and He made a way.

We had a great service today, so many people are walking around saying "God is..." It's a beautiful thing when people can see that God is... but to be honest, I don't need a service to do that. I see what God is everyday in the way He moves in my life, in those around me, even in those who don't recognize it's Him... yet. I consider it quite a blessing.

He is...

1 Chron 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

The reputation of this city starts with me

You know what's funny about our 'Detroit' Mission Trip?

We're not going to Detroit! LOL! Though we will be in cities near Detroit! Highland Park and Pontiac.

I love the Detroit Mission Trip.

It's one of my most favoritist things in the whole world! We haven't even gone this year and I'm excited for next year!

I am a lot more involved this year than I usually am, usually i pretty much show up, cook and then clean up. It's been quite an honor!

The first year, we had about 25 people. Last year about 40, and this year, we already have 52 people signed up! We've got some great things planned and I am so excited!

I've been watching the sales, as I often do. Because I only spend about $25 per person for the WHOLE week! I think the first year it was $40 per person. I take great pride in providing really good meals for a low price, that's what it helps that I watch the sales.

Last week God surprised me with salad dressing on sale ($.94 each), noodles for $.50, and my favorite is $2.49/case! Sure the difference between $2.49 and $3.49 is only $1.00 however, we need at least 15 cases, that's $15! We needed about 20 boxes of noodles, a savings of $.50 per box. $10 saved! Just in two things purchased, I saved $25! That's quite a savings!

It's a gift to be a good steward of the money that is entrusted to me! And it's an honor and a blessing to feed the missionaries that will go into our city to love children, to love those who need Jesus, to be Jesus in different ways to people who need His love.

We will be serving at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries and Grace Centers of Hope this year.

Please keep those of us who are going in your prayers, pray for those who we will be loving while we are there. Pray for the donations we need so that we can stretch the dollars we are going to have so that we can do more than we can even imagine. May we see God in all things we do. And cool weather wouldn't be so bad either :)

James 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?