Father's Day

Dad-thank you for being an amazing example of love, compassion, loyalty, hardwork, generosity, and so much more. Thanks to you I have chosen to live a life committed to being the hands and feet of Jesus. Your example at home and in the community is an everlasting reminder of the way I want to live my life. I love you so much, Dad!

Joplin 2011

After two weeks of volunteering in Topeka, I thought I was done and ready to relax for a few weeks. Those were my plans, not God's plans. I was sitting in church on Sunday morning (a service that I wasn't planning on being able to go to) as someone got up to speak about the Joplin relief efforts. It hit me really hard and I knew it was God urging me to go. So, I came home trying to figure out what I could do to help. Apparently God had it worked out way before I did because it was planned and I was off work before Sunday lunch was over. I am so thankful for proactive parents who helped me get this trip going! The following Sunday, my mom, Kim, and I headed towards Joplin for a few days of volunteering at College Heights Christian Church distribution center. Here are a few pictures from the trip that really don't do it justice.

 Distribution Center

 Tents in the front yard as temporary homes.

God knows, God cares, and he already has it worked out.

 St. John's Hospital-worse than I imagined. This picture does not even begin to tell the devastation in this area.

Proof that God is bigger than the storms!

Longing for paradise.

If you have been around me at all during the last 20 years, you should already know that I love traveling. Anywhere. Any place. Anytime. (I think Chris/Momma/everyone is getting annoyed with my constant begging for a vacation!) I absolutely love exploring this amazing world God has given us. I truly believe that those tropical paradises I constantly long for are only a glimpse of how glorious Heaven is. But, God has been teaching me about being content with where I am in my life because I constantly dream of this...

 Especially with this guy! :)

Instead of a tropical paradise, I get this...

God has decided that it was time for me to learn to be content with my location so I will honor His commands and rejoice because I get to share my life with these amazing people :)

LOVE.

Love is a vague word. I love my dog. I love my mom. I love ice cream. How can one word be used in so many ways? When I think of one thing I could not live without, it's not my car or my dog, it's love. Love is insanely powerful. But unfortunately, we are not very lovable people sometimes. We are all a society full of liars, cheaters, adulterers, and thieves. Yet Jesus looks deep into our sinful hearts and, without a hint of judgement, offers us compassion and help in our times of need. Thanks to the love and compassion I have been offered through Jesus Christ, I have decided to live and to love with that same nonjudgmental compassion. Today I choose to love, unconditionally, all walks of life---homeless, addicted, sick, and needy. Thank you Jesus for loving me and giving me a compassionate heart to love and help your people.

"Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:9)

Day the the "K"

This week I was extra thankful for a trip to KC for the Royals game. It was a nice escape from the 15 kiddos I had awaiting me at Camp Pals in Topeka.