an invitation to Joy and Peace

I've been having a lot of conversations with someone in my life right now about being rooted in Christ. About keeping Him the center of life and all we do. Seeking Him for direction and being open to His will. Last week as I flipped the calendar in our kitchen from August to September, I saw the new verse for the month:

Isaiah 55:12
For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace;
the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

After reading this a few times I thought about this whole idea of being "rooted in Christ". I thought about how it brings joy, it brings peace. Joy and peace that are not rocked by circumstances or our surroundings, but set deep in our hearts. Maybe when we have this... we would see the world around us rejoicing as well.

I really love all of Isaiah 55. It starts out proclaiming:

"Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
And you who have no money, come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."

It's an invitation... to everyone, no money needed. But it's not for physical food or water (though He's comparing it to wine and milk, not water or crackers), it's an invitation for Him. The chapter tells us to seek Him, "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near" (vs. 6). He tells us how much greater His thoughts and His ways are than ours (vs.8-9). Think about it, it's an invitation to an abundant life!

And we shall go out with joy and be led out with peace...



wherever I am

Once upon a time I wrote something entitled Sorting Mail for Jesus. It was a reminder to myself that wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, however exciting or menial it is... of where my heart needs to be while I'm doing it.

In a way, here I am, in that place again. for now. With the exciting challenges of the LPGA done I've changed offices once again (returned to my original office I should say) and as I was sorting the mail this morning I laughed and thought to myself "I'm doing this for Christ".

My attitude and heart for this office and the people in it needs to be in that place. always.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

some things change, some don't

Time flies and with it so many changes come, but some things remain unchanged. I just read this, something I wrote in January of 2009. Two and a half years later and all I can say is wow, this means so much to me still... as if I just wrote it for the 1st time. Thank you Lord for Your steadfast faithfulness.


I had dreams you know - 1/31/2009

Goals, aspirations, great things I wanted to achieve. Places to go, people to see. Some grand adventure to be a part of. High school found me dreaming of becoming an engineer as I took every technology course it offered. Senior year found me dreaming of becoming a photographer as I was given the gift of my first digital camera for Christmas. I brought life to objects and places people wouldn't usually think to capture on film.

I dreamed of graduating school, paying off my loans, and getting my own place. I thought of traveling the world with a camera and selling my photos, showing the world the beauty that still remained.

A year into college, I discovered that engineering wasn’t creative enough for me. I looked into photography, developing my own film, yes, that was it. I changed majors and let my inner artist free. I enjoyed every minute, though pencil to paper barely produced stick figures, with a computer I could create and design to no end.

I graduated, with no job nonetheless. But I did not fear, God had a plan. I traveled. Yes, Spain, I fell in love with the mountains. The Dominican Republic, well, it changed me, it broke me. Poverty. I came back changed.

The job came, it was God's plan, it wasn’t my plan. But His plan is always greater and more fulfilling.

So I have these dreams, aspirations, the desire to join in some grand adventure. But for a moment I forgot about them and settled into the routine of a job and loans. But my heart has been awakened. I’m letting it dream big once again.

And as I sit here, my room filled with the sounds of classical music, I’m thankful that God has made me just as I am… with these dreams, these goals, and these desires.

When I say, "I am a Christian"

When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost! That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian” I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble - needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian” I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian” I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, “I am a Christian” I do not wish to judge
I have no authority I only know I’m loved

1988 - Carol Wimmer

Spain: Summer 2007 and What I learned

After a conversation about mountains with a friend, my mind flooded with thoughts of my summer 4 years ago. Where I went, what I learned, what I loved, and what challenged me to the core. My first missions trip, my first time overseas. I don't ever want to forget about those weeks and all they contained.

We were going to serve.

Wherever you are, be there.

Hurry up and wait. 

Read about it. Let's go back to Spain...

My Girl

For the last 2 years, I have been sponsoring a girl in Malawi (Africa) through World Vision:

Meet Hannah. She's currently 8 and adorable.

I've been able to write to her, get letters from her, and twice a year I get her report card :) getting airmail is one of the MOST exciting things:



This just came yesterday! She gets A's and B's in school and will be in 4th grade next year. I feel like a proud momma when I get her report card, I love that World Vision does that, especially since it includes a current picture! I'm thankful God is allowing me to be a part of this little girl's life... and her family's life.

And since this is a blog of dreams
I'm praying someday I will be able to go...
                                                                and hug her.

get out of the way

"The more we get what we now call 'ourselves' out of the way and let Him take us over, the more truly ourselves we become... He invented - as an author invents characters in a novel - all the different men that you and I were intended to be. In that sense our real selves are all waiting for us in Him. It is no good trying to 'be myself' without Him. The more I resist Him and try to live on my own, the more I become dominated by my own heredity and upbringing and surroundings and natural desires...

It is when I turn to Christ, when I give myself up to His Personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own. "

~ C.S. Lewis ~ Mere Christianity ~