Simplicity.

Tonight was the last night of Back Yard Bible Club which is basically like Crossbridge's version of Vacation Bible School. All week I've been helping out with the crafts station and it's been a blast! The kids are precious and eager. It's so refreshing to be around a child's mind and spirit; the complexity and simplicity of it all at the same time. Since it was the last night, they gave a very simple invitation. Pastor Brian went over a verse that states how we've all sinned, and then how the price for sin is death. Next, very simply he explained that Jesus died so we didn't have to pay our debt. And lastly, he gave scripture from Ephesians that says there is nothing we can do to earn this, but all we can do is believe in Jesus and believe that he rose again. I was listening and watching the kids as some paid attention and some just played with grass. And then all of a sudden I found myself crying, simple tears rolling down my cheeks. I was just so amazed and blown away. Salvation is that simple. There is such a beautiful simplicity about Christ's love for us and how He's saved our lives. Sometimes we make faith and our relationship with Christ so complex. We over think and over analyze but fact is, it's SIMPLE. The bare bones and the basic facts state that we all have sinned and therefore deserve death, but Jesus took on the sin of the world and died for us and then rose again. He did this so selflessly that there is NOTHING we can do to earn this gift of salvation, except to believe in Jesus and what he did for us and enter into a relationship with Him.

Simple.

What a good God I serve :)

End or Beginning?

Today was a very bittersweet day for me. After 22 years of serving our nation my dad retired from the United States Air Force. His decision to retire came about very quickly and although I'm sure in the long run it will be the best choice, I still feel a little shaken up. It's like, my way of life, the only way I've ever lived is coming to a crashing halt. What does it mean to be a civilian? haha As silly as it all sounds, I will miss the military life very much. At other points in my life I would have cursed it, but looking back, all of the moving and obstacles were a blessing. With his retirement I feel like so many opportunities and windows are now closing, lost to me. I guess I will have to make my own opportunities now!

It was humbling to be a part of the retirement ceremony. I'm always amazed by what other people have to say about my dad in his work life. He seems like a big shot. Very much in charge and respected. His opinion and say matters. But I think the coolest thing was to see all these men in uniform willing and excited to help serve my dad on this monumental day. I think that says a lot about a leader, the way that people under that leader serve. Their service today was out of love and reverence and respect. There was a willingness, a selflessness, to make this the best possible day for my dad. I strive to be that kind of leader that inspires that kind of humbleness. And I recognize that I can only inspire humbleness if I myself am humble.

I will admit I shed a few tears today. Some out of sadness and fear for the future. Some from wonderful memories and opportunities I've been blessed with. But most out of pride and love for my dad and my country. What an amazing nation we live in! Never take for granted your liberty!

TOP 5:

*I wish I knew why my contacts aren't syncing correctly.

*I'm getting excited for camp next week and I'm so expectant of God doing AMAZING things in the lives of our youth and leaders!

*I wish I could catch up with Matt because we haven't had a lot of time lately BUT I know he's having a wonderful time with friends and Jesus and I'm happy he has that opportunity!

*I'm SUPER thirsty because my mom and I had popcorn.

*I should pick up my room.

PS: I VOTE BEGINNING.

Here goes nothin'...

Sooo it's 2am. And I have MANY other things I should be doing. I'm not quite sure why I decided to start a blog. I'd like to say that I'd write in it a lot and that I'll utilize it often. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how realistic that is, but I'd like to try.

I chose the title to be "Journey of Faith, Hope and LOVE" because I think, truly, that's what all of our life journeys entail more or less. It's always a journey, always a search, always growing and learning. And in essence faith is all I truly want to strive for; it's who I have hope in. But practicing faith embraces LOVE. All love. God's love for you, me and others. For the world. It just kind of fit together nicely for a summary of all I'd like to say. The URL is "I have learned the secret" in reference to Philippians 4, saying that I have learned the secret to being content in every circumstance... I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. The mystery is out: Jesus came to ransom you and then He rose again. He chose you before the creation of the world and He desires to be close to you because He adores you! There's this free and gracious gift called salvation and even though you'd NEVER be able to afford it Christ is holding it right in front of you with open hands longing for you to accept it.

TOP 5 going through my head:

*I wish I would have cleaned my room/car

*I'm excited to see Matt this weekend

*I wish Liz Hollingsworth's blog wasn't private so I could read all about her life and know what's going on

*Is it weird that I'm totally excited to fill in my new [broken already :/] planner and update my iCal and sync my phone so my life is all laid out?

*I'm craving Oreo Creme Pie. RIGHT. now.