Crazy dreams!! Coming true!!!

Have you ever heard someone say "somebody needs to do something about that?" Or maybe you've even said it yourself...

Have you ever realized that you are somebody's somebody?

Somebody needs to do something about something...

I know, right?

There are a lot of things I don't like in the world... I just don't. But the truth is I can't change a whole world full of poverty, and I can't give all of Flint clean water. And the war on drugs, well I'm probably not gonna win that either. And sex trafficking, I honestly wouldn't even know what to do...

But I certainly know there are things that I can do... What if we could all just help one? We made sure that a child in need ate breakfast, or we provided clean drinking water for a family, or we taught a child that they were valuable and hard work pays off, and that there are things in life to deal with what life throws at them instead of drugs, and what if we loved our women and children well and kept good care of them and taught them that they were valued and treasured no matter what circumstance they were born into?

Today (and every day it seems) I dream about making the world a place that is filled with love and goodness and kindness... An orchard of fruit. What if we all did that? What if i set aside my own needs & wants  and you set aside your needs & wants and we helped someone else. This isn't a new concept, except that few live it out although I bet it's more than we realize.

If you're not sure where to start, start with water. It's essential for life!  You can easily donate a gallon of water to flint or even a whole case of water! Wouldn't that be something!! Or how about sponsoring a soccer ball for a child in Detroit. 

A week ago I sat down with my friend about goals and dreams!! We talked about soccer fields and lots of other dreams! 

I was dreaming about giving out cereal once a month (sometimes I dream with restrictions because I worry about money) for three months, and then I let my heart open and said "what if we could do it EVERY week?" A couple days later (today) my friend posts about cereal on sale (and she had coupons ) and I asked for people to help "send $12" and people have been donating!! My friend met me in the cereal aisle in meijer and people thought we were crazy!!! I told people if they listened "we have to do something... Soccer field" a woman even have me $20!!! What?!? That's crazy!!

This month of dreaming and following God's dream!!! It's been sooooooo exciting!!!

So there are soccer balls, some cereal... It's all coming together!!! 

People are gonna be loved!!! Does it get much better than that?!?

So good

Drove around the D for a little while. Thinking about a lot of things.  There were a lot of churches in the small 5 mile radious of that I drove.  God was in this city.  We didn't leave us, we pushed Him out.  We thought we could do it on our own.  We said to Him "don't worry, we've taken it this far, we can do great things, we don't need You."  And here we are, vacant, abandoned, broken, abused.  But here He is, some of us are praying that He comes back, and with a vengence.  I don't want God to be peaceful, I tell you, I want Him to come back with all that He is, Mighty, Powerful, Loving!  I want Him back in this city.

You see, Downtown Detroit, its the heartbeat of our area, if it's heartbeat isn't strong, then the rest of us, are just as weak.  In the case of the body, if the brain doesn't get oxygen because the heart is too weak to get the blood there...   there is damage.  If the heart is beating strong, then all parts of the body are more likely to function.

We need God to restore us, to renew us, we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a city that is beautiful and wonderous.  We are a city of Hope, one that doesn't give up, even if everyone else does.

He is the God of this city. He is the HOPE to these people.  He is.  And that's just what I'm counting on.

I love Detroit.

My heart aches

It was a crazy thing today as I drove down I-75 home. My heart ached to go to 'the market', it ached to walk or drive down the city streets and smell the air, to see the beauty of what the city was and what it still is.

Detroit has a sound, a smell, and a love that surrounds me, and when the sun shines, I feel like God sends His sunshine only to us. Even though I know it's evereywhere. When the air is crisp and the sun is warm. Oh there is no place like Detroit.

I often wonder why people come here, I mean if you listen to the media, it wouldn't really be that appealing, but I know why I stay. Because I love Detroit, I really do. Seriously, like no one else I know.

I can't stop, I feel like there is something wrong with me because I love it so much. I love it's life, its heartbeat, the way it never gives up, I love how those who live here would do anything to help someone who needs help, how we rally around each other.

As I'm sure you've read or heard me say "There is no place like Detroit, for what it was, for what it is, and for all that it will become again."

I really do love Detroit

I seriously am not sure if anyone reads this blog... but I'm about to tell you something that may make you think I'm a bigger jerk than you already thought I was.

I have no desire to sponsor a child from Compassion International or organizations of the like. I tell you, that I believe that these organizations do the good of God, however, I do not believe that I am called for that, at least for now.

I tell you that I really do want a housekeeper, someone to come into my house that can help me out twice a month. I really want this for myself. When I am home, I want to be doing things that further the Kingdom, not pick up after us or wash our floors or change our beds. So that I can find rest when I need it not do one more task to exhaust myself. Seriously. I thought, I could sponsor 2 children with that money... but it was guilt, not conviction, and I know the difference.

I tell you this because I feel called to serve here. To serve in my neighborhood church that serves the people in my own city, to feed them. To make them homemade, quality food, not just some slop because it's cheap. I believe that you can serve good food for low cost.

I spoke with Marci at DRMM, they are feeding 40% more than they were a year ago, they are housing more. That means that if they served 100 meals a day, it's 140 more, its more men, women, and children within our reach. Its those without jobs, with addictions, and I just feel like I can't turn my back on them, because really, I do love Detroit. It's more than a city, it's a community.

So excited!!

So we picked the dates for the mission trip, July 12th-16th, seriously...

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!

I know that maybe it's not the most exciting thing in the world, I get that, but really, I love it, and I feel closest to God when I'm serving.

I mean when I tell you this (assuming anyone is reading this) you might not believe me, but really, you know what one of my very favorite things in the whole world is to do?

Serve at Soup Kitchens. I know, crazy, huh?

I love that because of the Detroit Mission Trip, others get to share my joy. It's not because I think 'I'm so blessed and I can help the less fortunate' it's because I love seeing the smile on someone's face when you smile at them.

And it's wierd but I do love serving others.

One the mission trip, I don't get to really get out and do much, but I serve those who serve.

So the plans are under way, and it's going to be amazing how we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus!!

WOOO! HOOOO!!!!!

Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'"

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!