Flexibility

When I was in DLA we always had to be flexible. Everything was always changing, we never really knew what was going to happen. I think that helped me a lot. It helped me to learn to take directions without really knowing the reason. A lot of people say the number one rule on missions is flexibility. I learned this again this week.(I believe I am on mission always.. His mission, it might not be overseas, but its still a mission) With news that Adam and Katie will not be back til next week, it was a time to be flexible. We just had to work out a few details and now everything is all ready. Flexibility is so important in ministry. There have been so many times that I have had everything all planned out and something happened and I had to drop everything to deal with it. A student called who needed something, a friend needing someone to talk to, something in Alive and Fuel needing to be changed. But now I don't really get upset. I know God is in control of my day and I will get done what He wants me to. I remember reading a book, where the author was talking about interruptions in his day. Someone coming to his office needing to talk, at first he was upset by the interruptions, but then God laid it on his heart that they were there for a purpose. Now when he has someone come to him, during his busy day, he just says: God must have sent you, lets find out why your here. What an awesome way to think about a change in plans. Things in life are always changing. It not about weather we change or not, its about how we cope with the change. I always want to be open and flexible for whatever God might have come my way.

Corinthians 9:19-21 (New International Version)

19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

Even Paul was flexible... depending on who he was with!

Happy Turkey Day???

So I walk into my grandma's house yesterday and there was a sign "Happy Turkey Day" made by my little cousin who is 10.. now I understand she is only 10 and may not understand the importance of Thanksgiving...but where do you think she learned that from . I see it all around in stores, on school signs, on tv and radio... we are losing the meaning of holidays. I think it is so sad, that we have lost the real meaning of Thanksgiving, and have turned it into a day where we eat and watch football. I think it is ridiculous that we sit down for 45 min, say negative things about how the food tastes and then its over. I was listening to the radio the other day and they were selling pre-made Thanksgiving dinners, advertising "Don't bother with the hassle of making Thanksgiving dinner...." The hassle... is that all this holiday is anymore is a hassle. I want to sit and appreciate my family. Enjoy conversation, enjoy each other. Take our time eating... and be Thankful for what I have. Many people around the world didn't even eat yesterday... and we are so selfish we can't even appreciate what we do have on a Holiday that calls for Thanks giving... the giving of thanks for what we have. But who am I kidding anymore... America has turned this Holiday from Thanksgiving... into Turkey day....

Adam, Katie, Levi and Judah Dorband

Well today was the baby celebration for Adam and Katie. It was wonderful! In January God started to move Adam and Katie's heart towards adoption, specifically in a little country called Rwanda. (I found out today that is 1/6 the size of Michigan). So they began the journey to adopt (not one but 2 babies). They have finally almost come to the end of this long and hard process. So today we wanted to celebrate with them on their 2 adorable baby boys. I think adoption is such a wonderful thing. Ever since I've heard of them wanting to adopt I was so excited, because my heart is totally for adoption (many people know I want to adopt when I am older). Adoption is such a beautiful picture of what Christ does with us. He adopts us into His family, call us His own. How awesome is that! I have known Adam and Katie since they moved to Michigan about 5 1/2 years ago. The number one thing that is so amazing about them is that they are fully in love with Jesus, and they have given their lives to help teenagers do the same. They are seriously wonderful. I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today, if Adam and Katie hadn't decided to come to Michigan, and work at Metro. I don't think I can even put into words how much they have done for me, and so many other because of their willingness to love and serve the downriver, because of the love of God that is in them. Today I was just so blessed to serve, and bless them, how they have blessed my life. Thats what made the baby celebration so wonderful, because we are honoring such a wonderful couple who have done so much for so many. Thank you Adam and Katie!

A More Beautiful You

New Creation

My life is spend helping teenagers come to know Jesus. Whether you believe in Jesus or not, that;s not the real issue here. I believe in change. Week after week, year after year, I see change. I see someone come in addicted to porn and drugs, changed to someone who is free from the addictions. I see someone scared, lost, lonely, changed into someone who is loved, secure and knows there future.I have known students who are so shy, scared of meeting new people, become the crazy out going one. Story after story after story. The list goes on... Abused...healed...unloved...loved...
lonely...accepted...addicted...free...lustful...pure... Whatever you can think of, i know a story of a real student, who was changed. It's more than just bible songs here. It's more than just going to church. It's encountering the Living God, who can change people. I am such in awe of God, when I sit down, and remember what He has done in peoples lives.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Long to long

I want my soul to ache for Christ. I want my heart to long for His returning. As a bride longs for her husband, I want to have that same longing for Christ. I want it.. but sometimes I admit I don't have it. Other things fall in the way. Distractions, busyness, other wants and things. They all get in the way of that deep desiring for God. But I want it. I long to long. "The longing to long, is longing." David Perkins once said that. But I think sometimes it is, and sometimes we aren't really longing, we are just longing in the sense of kinda wanting it. Like yeah it would be nice to long for Christ... it would be nice to find 20 dollars... I don't want that kind of longing. I want true intimate longing for My Savior. A friend of mine wrote a blog about being undone and wrecked for Christ. I want that. I want my heart to ache for Him. I'm not there, but my longing for that, is growing deeper. I will not give up. As Miguel would say be Resilient.

Fuel- Jr. High Ministry

I believe that God calls us in specific ways. For me, four years ago (almost exactly) God called me to Junior High Ministry. At first, it was just a place to serve. I love the kids, and liked helping at fuel. I loved talking to young teenage girls and speaking truth to them, and loving them. I loved being a "big sister" to many of them, and just hanging out and talking to them. So soon after, I just fell in love with Fuel and the kids there. It was different. They were loved no matter what, and I loved that. Most people think junior high students are crazy, wild, annoying... and while at times they are, they are also the most genuine and loving students. I tell a lot of people that if junior high students can realize who they are in God, and the calling that He has on their lives and they live it out, they can change the world. I believe junior high students can start a movement in this generation. So, as you can tell, my serving soon became a calling. I don't just come to Fuel to serve, I come to love, serve and lead. It goes beyond a commitment. It's a calling placed on me by God, Himself.

That being said, I want to live it out. A friend of mine Jessica Posted a blog about dreaming big. So here is my big dream. I want to start a movement of junior high students who are on fire for God, because they have encounter Him, and know who He is and who they are in Him. They are willing to stand up against this culture and live their lives out for the One who gave His. They are willing to go and be His hands and feet to the least of these. That is my big dream to have thousands upon thousands changing the world.

I don't know how to do this, but He does. So, this is my prayer, that they will know Him and know who they are because they know Him. If they can get that.... then watch out world... get ready to be shaken.