So NBD...

Ok, so I went to the OBGYN today. (how's that for personal!?) Over the last few months I've been having weird "we don't know what it is so we'll send you to yet another specialist" convos with several doctors. NBD (No big deal). To see the look of perplexed concern on a doctor's face just leaves you all warm and fuzzy inside. NOT. That paired with doctors that say when I ask "why the symptoms, where are they coming from, ....HELP!" and they say, and I quote: "Not to be short, but as long as it's not X, Y or Z, then I really don't care." (yeah...it happened.)

SO....moving along. Went in for my annual. You know the one where they are supposed to say, everything looks great - see you in a year? Especially since I've seen these very same people over and over for a myriad of 'we-don't-know-what it is-itis's' over the last few months...but no. More symptoms, a new 'diet' to help my symptoms, and now a mass in my right breast.

You heard me.

A MASS.

Could have just lost my lunch if I had had any, but instead I played it cool. It could be anything...a couple different types of cysts, lymph node, tissue mass "fat tumor", or even a benign tumor. Statistically 85% of the lumps found are 'nothings' - especially in YOUNG women such as myself - *wink wink*. But then she called in a referral to a Breast Specialist who works in a surgery center while I was still in the office. They fit me in for Monday.

Why the rush?

I was really ok, called the usual peeps who would be pissed if I didn't tell them about the 'nothings' that in the longest of shots could be 'somethings' (I guess they love me or something...idk.) and I had to go from there to the office.

I guess my 'keeping it together' was reading more like 'BS' all over my face. Because I didn't step one foot in and my director said, "what's wrong with you?" I told him as calmly as I could, watching him internally freak out, which made my cool demeanor melt to the floor. I tried to change the subject, but he was asking for all the details which I then put into a sort of 2 minute - cliff's notes medical history version to catch him up. I am grateful for him and the rest of my YL family though, since the proverbial beans have been spilled. (at a leader meeting tonight while I wasn't there.) They are my family and I know they will be praying.

I really am ok. I have peace. Tell me this news 4, 5 years ago and I'd still be crying, isolating, panicking. But the difference now is Christ in me. Seriously. Religious hogwash, you say? (ps. I'm referring to NOTHING to do with religion. if you don't understand the difference, then ask me.) Think it's bogus? Then tell me this. How do i have this peace, this trust, who or where does it come from? With my history of traumatic events and freak outs, meds and counselors, why am I now so self-contained? I tell you this because it's TRUE -

This is not my life. This body is a rental. It's not all about me (shocking! I know!). I have faith that God knows all things and since I know am a child of God (made my decision to accept Christ) and He created me, He is in control. If this nothing is really nothing, then there's something to be learned from this or taught through those interacting within this situation. (Maybe this blog post?). If it turns out to be something, then God allowed it. Because His ways are not my ways, His thoughts not mine - since He is the creator of the universe, His plans are well above my pay-grade. If he allows this to be the 'Big C', then there's a very good reason. Maybe if I sit and speculate, it's to show others how I cling to Him, maybe it's to bring me closer to Him, maybe through this trial others will be brought to the feet of Christ.

He promises that He knows the plans He has for me (Jer. 29:11) and He never breaks His promises. So I cling to the PROMISE, not what I can see or understand. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I just ask God that He give me wisdom, peace and perseverance - the rest is just details in this blip that I am on the long time-line of existence. (James 4:14) If for a brief moment I can be of use to bring Him glory, to be used to affect someone's eternity? - then so be it.

John 14:27 - read it. It may seem like a mystery, this peace my Father brings. But once entered into a relationship with Christ, it's all that makes sense.

I am changing...less and less asleep...

I LOVE the lyrics to this song...SO true!! I can't wait to be able to play it on my guitar! :)

LYRICS:

Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet
toward home, a land that i've never seen
I am changing, less and less asleep
made of different stuff than when i began
and i have sensed it all along
fast approaching is the day

[CHORUS]
when the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
when the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you

Theres distraction buzzing in my head
saying in the shadows it's easier to stay
but I've heard rumours of true reality
whispers of a well-lit way

[CHORUS]

You make all things new
You make all things new
You make all things new
You make all things
You make all things

[CHORUS 2]
When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
Every fear and accusation under my feet
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you

CrazyLove

So I'm reading (actually I've already read it once, now I'm re-reading it and underlining pretty much every other sentence) this book by Francis Chan called, "Crazy Love". The first 3 chapters were hard to hear, but a good prep for the rest. This book has stirred up so much about my faith that 1) I had 'spiritual amnesia' to (word he uses in the book) or 2) things I thought resolved that apparently are not and 3) a challenge and call to action for the way I live in my faith that has for lack of better words, spurned a fire within me. I'm so busy with my 'job' in YL 'helping' others, that I'm left drained spiritually and although my Bible gets opened in preparation for the HS girls Campaigners Bible Study group I lead, only then to the point of quickly preparing the lesson on Sunday before the Monday study. I look now and see how I was 'squeezing it in' and some how this was acceptable for me to teach/lead?! After reading (again) this book this afternoon, I read my Bible, Matthew to be specific (which is split paged between TNIV and Message versions) with such vigor and hunger and conviction like I haven't had in, well, I'm not sure I've ever had...

Beyond that, the book which laid out in often uncomfortable messages, caused me to evaluate myself and I'm challenged beyond anything before to do the most, with my purpose, (in my minute time here), as possible through ever tenet and tenticle of my being, of my life. To slack or do any less now seems absurd. Like I'm living as if I think this teeny blip on the long time-line of existance that is my life is of such importance that I arrogantly fall into worry about it, stress because of it, and am led to comparison of other's lives or things...it just seems so futile, shallow and ridiculous now.

Do I (or have I) really have the FAITH that prayer IS answered. (Understanding that the options can be 1) No, not yet. 2) No, I love you too much, 3) Yes, I thought you'd never ask and 4) Yes, and here's more...).

Do I really have the FAITH to live without concern for my life (health, wellbeing, etc.) here, without fear?

Do I really have the FAITH to ask God to bring it on, whatever IT is, if that 'it' is what leads me, my family, my kids, my husband, my friends, or even strangers to acceptance of Christ solidifying their eternity?

Do I have the FAITH to pray for not more than I need that I might not boast and not need Him, or not less than I need so that I won't steal and dishonor Him? To PRAY that I might live humbly paycheck to paycheck - that He would make it so that I would live that way??

Do I have the FAITH to sell/give away anything that makes me too comfortable and self-serving?

Do I have the FAITH to share about Him...even with the odds of being rejected, feeling uncomfortable?

Do I have the FAITH to not be concerned with my health, my pocketbook, my looks, my status, my education, my career, my parenting skills, my CONTROL?

Do I have the FAITH to forgive??

Do I have FAITH??

And if not, why not?

Here's a video from the guy who wrote the book - check it: www.crazylovebook.com/videos_stop.html

I suggest this book, it's in the library (at least where I live)...

Discouraging...

I came home this afternoon from taking the kids to do a service project no less - to find my yard Christmas decorations stolen. They were taken in broad daylight! My neighbor told me that she saw them as late as 12:30 this afternoon. By 3 they were ripped out of my yard. SO, I put up a sign in their place that reads, "Dear THIEVES, Please return OUR Christmas Decorations (-Mickey and Pluto)." I drew a broken heart and a frown face with a tear.

I don't know why this bothers me so much. The decorations were a gift, so we didn't lose money. I think it's for the reason my son was concerned, when he asked how this could have happened, how we didn't know, how they were able to come this close and no one saw them. I think it shook his sense of security and now sitting here alone I feel mine doing the same. I know, I get it, we don't NEED those decorations....but the fact that someone can come this close, right in the middle of the day, to do as they please with no notice, well, it doesn't settle well.

So now we have a new front porch light (which is ON) and our back porch light is on and of course the alarm is set and doors are locked.

My hope is that it was just dumb kids being - well, dumb kids. I hope the items are returned, if for nothing else but to make us feel secure again. :(

I don't see how taking someone's CHRISTMAS decorations can benefit anyone else. I don't see how that's 'funny' or how those people can sleep knowing they've become the grinch that stole.

Ug.

Break Us

Because of several things I cannot type here, I (and several others highly invested/involved) have felt persecution/offense, beliefs have been questioned, and much more that have me digging deep into His word and finding truth, questioning, searching and seeking. What it is that I believe? Is it that it's what I believe, or is it TRUTH? Am I willing to stand up for it, NO MATTER WHAT? Am I loyal/committed to a church, or Christ? Am I bound to a denomination because of my culture, family or geographical location??

So... I'm looking for a new church. Part of me is under the thinking that organized religion is the problem. Not for everyone, not in every situation, NOT all of them, but unfortunately those I've come across. To new believers, or non-believers, or stagnant or arrogant believers, these types of tainted 'religions' are the wall between them and a rawness, realness and freedom of a DAILY relationship with Christ. Christ didn't design fellowship with him and others (lost or otherwise) to be about 'face' value, facades, about being 'comfortable', about appeasement or judgment, about money or status, or about "dressing up" (figuratively or otherwise) for the occasion. We are supposed to question!! (Psalm 10:4)., We are just supposed to come - regardless of where we are! (Matt. 11:28-30) We are not supposed to put our entire trust and faith in man, or religion, but come together as a community for Him! (Romans 12:3-5) Jesus said Come, follow ME! (Mark 1:17) As a good friend (also closely involved in this situation) recently said to me, "This is not what Jesus is about! This is not for Him! If he were to walk in this place today he would come in knocking over tables!"

Now I understand the reasons for church, and those are biblical. We are supposed to position ourselves with like-minded individuals, we are supposed to join together to encourage and worship corporately, we are supposed to bind together and to reach out. (See Hebrews 10:24-25, Colossians 3:14-16, Romans 12:5, Corinthians 12:12-17) But in my life I have yet to find this church. This church without the walls of hypocrisy, judgment, arrogance and greed. It's unfortunate and discouraging. I get that we're all human, but leadership - in placing themselves in the position of representation of God, leaders of believers - there is a standard, a call, a life above reproach, a transparency, and an ACCOUNTABILITY that one must commit too. Again, as we are all human, I understand that even these called few may on occasion stumble, may need to be supported and helped. But when these called few take to arrogance and lies beyond that of accountability or change, then they have failed. It isn't to say they will not be convicted to change, called to action or led to repent/refocus. However, I cannot in good conscience align myself with those who are of the current ill, as it may pull me to their deception, or cause my witness to fail just by association. I cannot in good conscience have my family trust in or follow this leadership and teaching.

Please do not misread this as me being self-righteous! It's actually the opposite, in that I'm afraid at this time I'm not strong enough on my own to stay within something like this and stay focused on my relationship with Christ. I don't know enough, although I am convicted to hungrily dig in again to His word, into connection and fellowship with Him. And that is by His design, so I shouldn't be afraid of change, or of uncertainty, because these things drive me closer, not farther away from Him.

So, I will continue to try my best to search, ask questions, be who I am for HIM and no one else. I'll try my best not to judge, but be the 'skin' of Jesus, showing love to others - where they are - even if they don't have an immediate heart change. I won't shun, or condemn, I will speak the TRUTH! in love.

As much as it hurts to change, I know that God allows things for a purpose. I (and the others leaving) feel lost and confused, but I know they have a heart for God, for Truth and in that they are clinging to Him and digging deeper into His word. This has not shaken our faith!

I'm prayerfully seeking another church family for my family to become part of. I'm kinda getting excited. I know that we will find a home of His choosing that will allow my family to connect and be fed, at the same time challenging us to serve. Right now, there's a particular church I'm anxious to visit. It doesn't have a permanent facility - ON PURPOSE. It's beliefs are based on biblical truths and it's open to everyone, reaches out to everyone and works on the matter of the heart before the actions of the flesh, knowing that change will come from love, understanding and obedience. What a refreshing change! What if the whole world could have this understanding! I'm looking more into it, but here's the lyrics from a worship song I stumbled across on their site that speak volumes -

What if we lived as Jesus lived?
If we could give as he gives?
What if we pray as he prayed?
This whole world would have no choice but to change

What if we walked as Jesus walked?
What if we followed what he taught?
If we really lived as though he came?
This whole world would have no choice but to change

Oh, Break Us
This is not a game

Oh, Break Us
This is not a game

What if loved as Jesus loved?
What if in Him we placed our trust?
Invest in His kingdom, not our stuff?
This whole world would have no choice but to change

Oh, Break Us
This is not a game

Oh, Break Us
This is not a game

Break Us

Sweet Girl

Over the last couple of weeks, I've got to spend some much needed quality time with my little girl. With everything that her big brother is involved in, and Dusty working two jobs and my job and volunteering, plus coaching, lil J doesn't get to be the center of attention as much as she (and I, admittedly) would like her to be.

Well, last week she went under for dental work. I was a wreck!! But by the grace of God, she came through it just fine, and such a trooper! She is so determined and strong and independent, just like her stubborn mama and her strong grandma. :)

But this weekend, in the busy-ness of getting prepared for two games, me singing on Sunday, YL leader meeting, getting prepared for our upcoming YL banquet, etc., Jaedyn got a fever. Then she got diagnosed with strep. During this time, my "big man" went on his 5th grade class trip to Sky Ranch.

Since Saturday, I've gotten to snuggle with my little girl (something she doesn't do regularly because she's "busy" or only does it for a second). I've had the chance to read book after book with her (she can read!! Like overnight, it clicked! She went from "A" level books in class to chapter books in like a week!!), watch movies, cuddle, hold hands, smooch!, and generally enjoy being together as she stayed home from school. When we went to the Dr., we were waiting in the room and I was counting the precious freckles on her face. Many months before, I had told her that freckles were angel's kisses, and that's why she had so many! So, this day, without talking about angels, as I was counting, she said, "Mom, can you kiss my nose so I'll have more freckles?" I said, "Oh...! Baby,? Are you saying Mommy is an angel?" She grinned wide and shook her head yes, her gorgeous little eyes twinkling!

I wasn't excited for Jaedyn to have to go under in a dentist office, and obviously I didn't want her to get strep, but I see how even through these things God's at work in our lives. My daughter and I got to bond again and spend sweet time together -time I miss with a big lump in my throat today because she's back at school - and this morning, she read her first bible verse all on her own! As she sounded out the words, and read aloud, on her own His word for the first time, I thought I would cry!! She beamed from ear to ear after and said, "Now I can read His words!"

It doesn't get any better than that...:)

The ONE

By Eric Scofield, Regional Director
Young Life Southcoast Region

Sometimes we can see a crowd ... I mean, sometimes I do. I have been at camp now for a month. I have seen thousands of faces, heard hundreds of stories and seen hundreds of kids respond to the Gospel by turning to Christ.

Sometimes there is a kid who rises above the crowd. It is as if this kid represents all the faces. In Luke 15 where there is the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son — there is such a celebration of "the one" that is found.

"Leave the 99, and go after the ONE."

The ONE for me arrived last week. This kid Loren came into camp and was immediately an icon. He looked and dressed so uniquely, and carried himself differently than any of the other kids. He said he was an atheist. While sitting with me at lunch one day, he said that he was thrilled to give up drinking for the week. He also admitted to leaving his satanic bible at home for the week.

As the week progressed, Loren had so many exchanges with our team — work crew, summer staff, camp staff, assigned team — everyone was loving on Loren. Some of the summer staff guys even painted their fingernails black, and on the last day of camp put some eye shadow on to be "with" Loren.

Loren, who lives just down the street from camp in Williams, Ariz., met Christ and stood up at the Say-so to an all-camp ovation. (I had never seen this before.) He met Christ. Amazing.

He went home, and two days later walked the three miles uphill back to camp. He just wanted to check in. We greeted him with hugs and acceptance. He just wanted to see if this place was real — and that people were not doing all the same things for other kids. It was real.

Loren went to the Williams, Ariz., area Campaigners last night. He burned his satanic bible. He is thinking of doing work crew third session.

Loren is the face in the crowd for me this summer. What we — you and me — are about in this crazy mission of Young Life actually works. Kids are meeting Christ.

Thank you for helping this take place — thank you for helping us go after the ONE. In this case, Loren.

(In my quiet time yesterday God laid these passages (below) on my heart, then this morning I read this article!)

Luke 15:8-10 (Message) …imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (Message) Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

In YL (and in life!!) we have amazing freedom in Christ and such a unique opportunity, that we get to share, walking along side – with and among – these teenagers (and/or others), just like Paul talks about, just like Jesus would have done. Our YL area has grown immensely this past year and that the idea of all those new faces can be overwhelming and can make us, as leaders, feel that our time spent isn’t accomplishing much. But I know that God will align each of us with that ONE (or two!) - We just have to trust that He will guide us to let His work be done in that student’s life.

Hide His truth in your heart and let Him lead the way! Wouldn’t it be awesome to be part of the party with the Angels in celebration of just that ONE?