Treasure

At Nativity we have been attempting to teach kids about giving, specifically in terms of money. It sounds strange and even impossible, but it has been really amazing to see the kids bringing their treasure boxes back each week with coins. We have a moment in Time Traveler when the kids in All Stars and Time Travelers get to bring their treasure boxes forward and make their "offering" into a larger treasure box. It is really inspiring to watch. See for yourself:


I was thinking the other day the amazing effect that this could have on the spiritual lives of these kids. Although you may have the occasional "My mom gave me ten dollars to bring back here for our fund raise" (which is not the goal), you also hear the "I got money for my birthday and brought some of it here to give back to God!"

Whether or not the spiritual practice of stewardship becomes a daily part of the kids life is not really the point. It's rather cultivating a spirit of generousity and connecting giving with God. It's about God loving us so much and giving us so much, that when we offer some of those gifts back to God it's like shouting "I LOVE YOU GOD" from the top of the tallest building in the world. It's about keeping their hearts happy and content with their blessings and gifts, so much so that their hearts have more room for Jesus to be in every little nook and cranny of their hearts.

It's important, and I believe that the Holy Spirit will keep this concept and discipline in their life as they grow. They'll keep hearing about it year after year, and at some point, it'll click. It'll make sense to them. I believe it will change their life as teens and adults.

For now, as most kids hear about it for the very first time, we can have fun and sail away to Treasure Island...

Feelin' grateful for my girlfriends this evening... I think they're so important to daily life.
Gal pals who pour into your life wisdom, love, honesty and fun.
One of the main reasons I'm excited to live on my own (coming soon!) is so I can spend more time taking care and loving my girlfriends.

I think it is so significantly purposeful that there are people in your life who build you up and remind you of your worth, particularly in the eyes of our heavenly Father. Those friends are treasures.

Especially this one:

"'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me"-Watermark

Fall

This is my first fall being able to drive around and enjoy the scenery. Sometimes you have to pull over and admire for a few minutes, when you see sights such as this:
It's been a blessing to be driving. I'm trying to better use this blessing to serve others. For so many years, many people blessed me by driving me various places. I want to pour out myself in those kinds of ways. We've been talking at Nativity about being a better steward of our money, but I have been reflecting a lot on how to be a better steward of my time as well. I find that challenge harder for me.

I am also blessed by my specific kind of vehicle. I get the opportunity to talk to so many people because of the attention my car draws. I want to keep myself open for the way God can (and has) use(d) that.

Speaking of my pink vehicle, I went into Starbucks today and one of the various "regulars" greeted me. (Does that make me a regular? :) ) I don't know much about him, but he is always very friendly and asks about my day. He is a little difficult to understand, because he has a very thick accent, but today this is what he said to me,
"This is what I think. You know how you have an apple, and you take a knife, and cut it in half? Then you have two halves. Well, you are one half of the apple, and your car is the other half."

I'm not totally sure, but I think that means my car and I go well together as a pair.


PS!!!!!
Starbucks has their Christmas cups out! I'm excited!

Look who's ready for Christmas!
(and whobilation!)

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and grant us peace in our day.
In your mercy keep us free from sin
and protect us from all anxiety
as we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ

The Walk

This weekend has been full of fun for me because it was packed with music.
I saw two concerts this weekend and while they were very different...they also had lots of things in common.
FIRST! I was able to volunteer with Worldvision (they're a phenomenal organization that helps people sponsor children from tons of countries) for a Tye Tribbet/Israel Houghton Concert at 1st Mariner. Now, I have been apart of a ton of worship shows but this concert was by far the most energetic passionate one of all time. So much worship and dancing and love for Jesus. Check it out:

BUT what was even more awesome was the presence of God in this place. I arrived feeling grumpy and tired of rain and irritated, and as soon as I entered into the pavilion the worshipper (but I don't know his name) was praying about an issue I'm struggling with right now. And he was so convicted and annointed that it was so moving for me. It stirred my soul and gave me so much confidence in God's faithfulness. And if that wasn't enough to grab my attention, I met another guy who has an amazing testimony of God working in his life...and while he was sharing it with me he started praying over me and speaking DIRECT words about my life. And we're talking very specific details that God clearly showed him because I had never met this man before in my life. And he was just encouraging me about what God is going to do in my life, and the anointing he's placed on my life. I share this not to be boastful or weird, but as a clear depiction of the incredible love God has for us, and how He is NOT going to leave us alone. I don't know how many people read this blog, but I am 100% sure God wants you to hear that message. And when we feel that loneliness, he shows up in crazy unexpected ways. God WILL get our attention, and He will keep trying until he gets it. So be encouraged!

The second concert I went to was my 13th time seeing Hanson, and those concerts stir my heart in a completely different way. It leads me to appreciate the gift of music, and I know those talented guys are using it in such an amazing way. They have a heart for service and for music, and they believe in doing what you can and using what you have to make a difference. They have hosted "walks" to raise awareness and support five causes facing challenges in Africa. I have enver been able to participate, but this year I did!

And it was a good thing. One of the ways they got started in their activism is by pairing up with toms shoes to give shoes to kids who don't have them. So during their 1 mile walks, they encourage participants to walk barefoot in solidarity and to raise awareness. It was a good experience for my soul.

So here we are, taking the walk :

Their concerts bring me a lot of joy and remind me that I am still the lil teenybopper who first started really enjoying Hanson 12 years ago. But seriously, they are some talented young adults who are focused, passionate, wholesome and altogether really caring individuals. And getting involved with their worthwhile causes has moved tons of young adults from apathy to action. It's good stuff, and at the end of the day, leads me closer to God's purposes for my life.

It's been a blessed weekend, that's for sure. Full of strangers and old friends that ocne again remind me that I am loved .

It can be so refreshing to spend time with kids and students. Over the past month or so, I have really had a great opportunity to spend time with some really special people. I have been able to get to know them better and I have discovered some great blessings. I am grateful for teens and kids who help me remember who I am and who God made me to be.

For example, I stayed with some of my the coolest high schoolers I know Casey and Kelly for a few days, and spent two of the days dressing like each of them. And they said it made them happy-but really it made me happier, I'm sure of it. Here's me as Casey:And here is me as Kelly:


I have also realized I need to spend more time in these peaceful situations with such loving people. I mean, come on, spending a morning dressing up like princesses? What could be better. Meet my beautiful girlfriends Lily and Julia:

And my small group (the girls are in HIGH SCHOOL now...I can't believe it!) has started and has also been great. The girls in it are so phenomenal it is an honor to be with them and to be a small part of their lives. Here's us last spring:
And finally, to sum up my point about child-like faith and peace of the soul, if watching this video below doesn't make you smile even a bit...I give up.

Remember when learning the ABC'S was the biggest deal in the world? ::sigh:: :)