"You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of the dust." 

"You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of us."

Hello, Spring.

Well it's here. Happy Spring to you all! If you're like me and you live in a state where you actually get to enjoy the seasons, then soak it up, because it seems as if the heat of summer is never far behind.

We have had this week off from Trek-X because Chris, who disciples us, has been in the Philippines and Romania making preparations for the 4 students who are moving there in September! This time next year he will be making the same preparations for Mitch and I (either in the Dominican Rep. or Guatemala)! Crazy!

This week I have been taking time to enjoy the small things. I took a walk through our little neighborhood to take some pictures of the beautiful Nashville scenery. 

I enjoyed some of my favorite fruit:

I've been watching it rain for several days. The April shower's have come early! 

I'll end on this note. A few days ago I was reading in Luke and these verses caught my attention. The 21st chapter is Jesus talking about the signs of the end of times. While I haven't a clue when our King will return, I do know that the word tells us to be alert (1 Peter tells us 3x)! Even Peter tells us that "the end of things is near," and that was ages ago! "…Stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21: 28 

Praise God!

I have an afternoon date with some crafts, and then a date with the mister this evening! :)

Have a lovely weekend! 

"Hot-Lanta"

We have returned from a successful trip in Atlanta. We met up with a group from Starkville, Mississippi and we (Trek-X) led the team for the week. Here's what we did:

Each morning we took a tour through several cultural sites in Atlanta. We visited the Farmer's Market, a Global Mall, a Buddhist shop, a Hindu temple, and a Mexican mall. My favorite was the Farmer's Market. It was huge and had every foreign food/drink item you can imagine. The Hindu temple was the saddest part of the tours. Not only did we see all their idols displayed, but we witnessed several Hindi people come in to bow or give their offering. It was heartbreaking to watch them give their lives to something that will never save them.

Mitch found a Colombian drink in the South American section!

In the afternoons we did service projects. We broke up into 2 teams, one going to clean/paint an apartment complex and the other team helped out at a local middle school. 

Our afternoons were spent loving on precious kids. We split into 4 groups with each group going to a different apartment complex. Each apartment complex we worked in was predominately internationals. Mitch and I worked in an area of all hispanics…and of course we loved that. We played games, did crafts, and shared Bible stories with the children. It was evident that the majority of the kids were lost, however, we are thankful for local missionaries who live amongst these kids and their families to continue to invest in their lives. 

 

We had a wonderful time. Even though we were in our own country, there were times that I felt as if I were the minority, or the foreigner rather. It's amazing how many different people groups we have the potential to reach! 

I was encouraged and challenged this week by this particular verse:

"But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you." Philippians 2:17 

Pour your lives out for the sake of other's. It's worth it. 

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,

let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 

for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12: 28-29

(via)

Besides all the awful tornado weather on Friday, the past few days have been so beautiful! The sunshine just makes me happy. And the fact that Spring is only weeks away! 

(via)

We've been having geography lessons lately at Trek-X and I love it! I can now tell you where every country in the ENTIRE world is….ok well i'm still working on Africa, but I'll have it down by Thursday :) I also know my states now, which sadly I did not know beforehand (can you believe I was never taught that in school?). 

Next Sunday is our trip to the ATL! Please be in prayer for this trip and the many internationals we will come in contact with. Trip details here.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…"

Psalm 33:12

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth."

Psalm 108: 5